another way, and sometimes right back again for a while, and then turn
again. So my suspicions grew very strong, and I began to be in great
anxiety of spirit, but said little to him about it.

[Illustration: These books I got, and read them over and over; which
did much strengthen my belief in the truth of the reports: yet by no
means could I tell which was my way.]

But one day, as we were travelling along, we met with a man that took
notice of my sad countenance and tired condition. And he spake very
kindly to me; "Young man," said he, "whither art thou bound?" And when
I began to tell him something of my travel, he desired me to sit down
upon the grass, in a shady place, and discourse a little about my
journey: and so we did, and I told him how things had gone with me
to that very hour. Whilst I was telling him my story, my guide fell
asleep; at which I was not sorry, for thereby I had the more freedom
to discourse with the man; and when I had told him all, he pitied me;
and withal, told me, to his certain knowledge, this guide of mine had
never been at the house, neither did he know the way to it, but as
he had got some marks of the way, which he had received, as I or any
other may do; and, if I followed him all my days, I should be never
the nearer to it, and should find at last, I had spent my time, money
and labour to no purpose.

This discourse did so astonish me, that I was at my wits end, and did
not know what course to take. The man seeing what an agony I was in,
began to comfort me, and told me that the house I sought was much
nearer than I was aware of; and if I would forsake that guide, and
follow him, he would soon bring me in sight of the house. "And," quoth
he, "I am one that belongs to that house, and have done so several