"A voice said to me, 'You can follow them, and look.'
"This narrow way was very short, oh, very short indeed so near that no one could think the journey too hard, that the most weary feet could have no excuse. It was only one step, but still it was narrow.
"First the boy, who had drunk at the stream, got to the place, and he read, engraved on the rock at the entrance, 'Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest;' signed with the King's name. He looked at the words earnestly, then he shifted his burden upon his shoulders, and was just turning away, when he thought he would read them once more. He did so; they were very sweet, and he stepped into the narrow path and stood at the edge of the water. When there, he could not help hearing some words which a King's messenger kept on repeating over and over, 'He was wounded for our transgressions, and with His stripes we are healed.' So he plunged in, and, lo! The water which had looked so dark before seemed to be a silver stream, giving life, and health, and peace.
"Then he felt on his shoulders for the burden, and found it had melted all away.
"'I could stay here for ever!' he exclaimed joyfully.
"'Go and tell others,' said the messenger.
"The boy hastened to obey, and when he reached the valley, he soon met the girl and the child.
"'Go and bathe there,' he said, pointing; 'you will not be tired any more.'
"'Yes I shall, I expect,' said the girl; 'but come along faster, child, and let us see.'
"And she read the words; then she remembered the radiant look of the boy, and knew there must be something in it, and she turned down to the stream.