brought them a loaf, and immediately disappeared, without their having
had it in their power to notice from what side he had come, or which
way he had gone from them. Then, says St. Bonaventure, Divine Providence
came to the aid of the poor of Jesus Christ, when all human assistance
failed them. They were well aware that the company of their holy founder
procured them this favor from Heaven; and the miraculous nourishment
they had just received, which renovated the strength of their minds
as well as that of their bodies, by the interior consolation they
received from it, inspired them with a firm resolution never to swerve
from the poverty to which they had devoted themselves.

Pursuing their route towards Orta, they came in the plain near that
town to a church which had been deserted, and where, having offered
up their prayers, they agreed to stop, until such time as they should
learn where it was God's intention they should settle themselves. From
thence they went, daily, to the town to preach penance in the public
places; and it was with much fruit for the salvation of souls. The
people began to feel attached to them; and as they saw that on their
quest they refused everything but what was strictly necessary, they
took very many things to the church in which they had retired, and
those considered themselves fortunate who could make themselves useful
to them. They even came in crowds to see them, and to listen to the
discourses of these new men, whose actions and whose speech made them
appear as persons descended from heaven.

But Francis, who found that this concourse of people interrupted and
disturbed their spiritual exercises, determined to leave this place.
The very beauty of it decided him to do so. It was a most agreeable
spot; on one side there were meadows covered with beautiful flowers;
on the other, a thick wood, where birds carolled the livelong day;