their decision. The safe way led to the right. So he who kept the
Chart marked upon it the place of the rock, and he wrote upon the Chart
that the one true path leads to the right. Henceforth each man should
know the way he must go.

Moreover, those who bore the records showed that this decision was
justified. They wrote upon the Chart a long argument, chain upon chain
and reason upon reason, to prove that from the beginning it was decreed
that by this rock should the destiny of man be tested.

But in spite of argument, there were still some who chose the left-hand
path because they verily believed that this was the only right way.
They, too, justified their course by arguments, line upon line and
precept upon precept. And each band tried to make its following as
large as it could. Some men stood all day by the side of the rock,
urging people to come with them to the right or to the left. For,
strangely enough, although each man had his own journey to make, and
must cross the river at last alone, he was eager that all others should
go along with him.

And as each band grew larger, its members took pride in the growth of
its numbers. In the larger bands, trumpets were blown, harps were
sounded, and banners were waved in the wind. Those who walked shoulder
to shoulder under waving flags to the sound of trumpets felt secure and
confident, while those who journeyed alone seemed always to walk with
fear and trembling. It was said in the old Chart that where two or
three were gathered together on the way, strength and courage would be
given them. But men could not believe this, and few had the heart to
test whether it were true or no.