[CHAPTER V.]
ENEMIES OF THE ROAD.
Amer soon found that the journey was not so smooth as he had thought. There were stiff bits of hill to climb, and rough rocks and stones which cut and hurt his feet. He was often desperately tired and the Radiant City seemed a long way off. Also at certain times he felt to miss his old companions.
He had not met many people on the road. He had seen many a merry party walking fearlessly on a broad walk which at times seemed to be leading to the Radiant City, picking flowers and singing gaily, and he had looked somewhat longingly at them.
Several pilgrims indeed had passed him on the way in the narrow path, but they were so intent on their own journey that they seemed to have no time to give to him; and he sometimes felt lonely.
One day as he was giving way to rather sad thoughts he noticed three small people sitting together by the roadside. They looked dreary and were dressed all in grey. Forgetting the warnings of the Ambassador, Amer sat down by their side and entered into a conversation. He soon found that their company instead of comforting him depressed him greatly.
"Where are you going to?" they asked him.
"To the Radiant City," was his answer.
"You will never get there," said one of them, "you have not the air of a servant of the Great King. When we saw you, you were looking dreary and forlorn."