but clad with a light robe, came to them, and did ask them why they stood there. They said they were bound to the Celestial City, but knew not which of these ways to take. "Go with me," said the man; "it is to that place I am bent." So they went with him in the way that but now came to the road, which each step they took did turn and turn them so far from the town that they sought to go to, that in a short time their heads did turn off from it; yet they went with him. But by and by, ere they well knew of it, he led them both in the bounds of a net, in which they were both so caught that they knew not what to do; and with that the white robe fell off the black man's back then they saw where they were. For which cause there they lay in tears some time, for they could not get their limbs out.

Then said Christian to his friend, "Now do I see that I am wrong. Did not the Shepherds bid us take heed of the Flatterer? As are the words of the Wise Man, so we have found it this day, 'A man that fawns on his friend spreads a net for his feet.'"

Hope.-"They, too, gave us some notes as to the way, so that we may be the more sure to find it; but in that we have not thought to read."

Thus they lay in sad plight in the net. At last they saw a Bright One come nigh to where they were, with a whip of small cords in his hand. When he was come to the place where they were, he did ask them whence they came, and what they did there? They told him they were poor wights bound to Zion, but were led out of their way by a black man clad in white, "who bid us," said they, go with him, for he was bound to that place too." Then said he with the whip, "It is one who fawns, a false guide

who wore the garb of a sprite of light." So he rent the net, and let the men out. Then said he to them, "Come with me, that I may set you in your way once more": so he led them back to the way they had left to go with the Flatterer. Then he did ask them and said, "Where did you lie the last night? They said, "With the Shepherds on the Mounts of Joy." He did ask, then, if they had not of those men a note as a guide for the way. They said, "Yes." "But did you not," said he, "when you were at a stand, pluck out and read your note?" Quoth they, "No." He did ask them, "Why?" They said, "They did not think of it." He would know, too, "If the Shepherds did not bid them take heed of the Flatterer?" They said, "Yes; but we thought not," said they, "that this man of fine speech had been he."

Then I saw in my dream that he told them to lie down; which when they did, he gave them sore stripes, to teach them the good way in which they should walk. This done, he bids them go on their way, and take good heed to the next hints of the Shepherds.

I then saw in my dream, that they went on till they came to a land whose air did tend to make one sleep. And here Hopeful grew quite dull and nigh fell to sleep for which cause he said to Christian: "I do now grow so dull that I can scarce hold ope mine eyes; let us lie down here and take one nap."

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By no means," said Christian, "lest if we sleep we wake

Hope.-"Why, my friend? Sleep is sweet to the man that toils: it may give us strength if we take a nap."

Chr.-"Do you not know that one of the Shepherds bid us take heed of the Enchanted Ground? He meant

by that, that we should take care and not go to sleep. 'Let us not sleep, as do some; but let us watch and be of sound mind." "

you been Hope.-"I know I am in fault; and, had not with me here, I had gone to sleep and run the risk of

death. I see it is true that the wise man saith, Two are more good than one.' Up to this time thou hast been my ruth; and thou shalt 'have a good meed for thy pains.'

I saw then in my dream, that Hopeful gave a look back, and saw Ignorance, whom they had left in their wake, come in their track. "Look," said he to Christian, "how far yon youth doth lag in the rear."

Chr.-" Ay, ay,

I see him he cares not to be with us. Hope." But I trow it would not have hurt him had he kept pace with us to this time.'

Chr.-"That is true: but I wot he doth not think so." Hope. "That I think he doth: but, be it so or no, let us wait for him." So they did.

Then Christian did call to him, "Come you on, man: why do you stay back so?"

Ignor.-"I like to walk in this lone way; ay, more a great deal than with folk: that is, save I like them much." Then said Christian to Hopeful (but in a soft voice), “Did I not tell you he sought to shirk us? But, be this as it may, come up, and let us talk off the time in this lone place."

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Then, when he had a long speech with Ignorance, Christian spoke thus to his friend, Well, come, my good Hopeful, I see that thou and I must walk side by side once

So I saw in my dream, that they went on fast in front, and Ignorance, he came with lame gait in their track. Then said Christian to his friend, "I feel much for this poor man: it will of a truth go hard with him at last.”

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE LAND OF BEULAH-THE FORDS OF THE RIVERAT HOME.

Now I saw in my dream that by this time the wights had got clear of the Enchanted Ground, and had come to the land of Beulah, whose air was most sweet as the way did lie straight through it, they took rest there for a while.

Yea, here they heard at all times "the songs of birds," and saw each day the plants bud forth in the earth, and heard "the voice of the dove" in the land. In this realm the sun shines night and day: for this was far from the Vale of the Shade of Death, and, in like way, out of the

CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL ENTER THE LAND OF BEULAH.

reach of Giant Despair; nor could they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle. Here they were in sight of the City to which they were bound: here, too, met them some of the folk who dwelt there, for in this land the Bright Ones did walk, for that it was on the verge of bliss.