"But how if this path should lead us out of the way?"
"That is not likely," said the other. "Look, doth it
not go along by the wayside?"
So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow, went after
him over the stile. When they were gone over, and were 5
got into the path, they found it very easy for their feet;
and withal they, looking before them, espied a man walking
as they did, and his name was Vain-Confidence: so
they called after him, and asked him whither that way
led. 10
He said, "To the Celestial Gate."
"Look," said Christian, "did not I tell you so? By
this you may see we are right."
So they followed, and he went before them. But,
behold, the night came on, and it grew very dark; so that15
they who were behind lost sight of him that went before.
He, therefore, that went before—Vain-Confidence by
name—not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep
pit and was dashed in pieces with his fall.
Now Christian and his fellow heard him fall; so they 20
called to know the matter. But there was no answer,
only they heard a groan.
Then said Hopeful, "Where are we now?"
Then was his fellow silent, as mistrusting that he had
led him out of the way; and now it began to rain and 25
thunder and lightning in a most dreadful manner, and the
water rose amain, by reason of which the way of going
back was very dangerous.
Yet they adventured to go back; but it was so dark
and the flood so high, that in their going back they had 30
like to have been drowned nine or ten times. Neither
could they, with all the skill they had, get back again to
the stile that night. Wherefore, at last lighting under a
little shelter, they sat down there until daybreak. But
being weary, they fell asleep.