So they went on, and Ignorance trod in their steps a short way from them, till they saw a road branch off from the one they were in, and they knew not which of the two to take.
As they stood to think of it, a man whose skin was black, but who was clad in a white robe, came to them and said: Why do you stand here? They told him that they were on their way to The Celestial City, but knew not which of the two roads to take.
Come with me, then, said the man, for it is there that I mean to go.
So they went with him, though it was clear that the road must have made a bend, for they found they would soon turn their backs on The Celestial City.
Ere long, Christian and Hopeful were both caught in a net, and knew not what to do; and with that the white robe fell off the black man's back.
Then they saw where they were. So there they sat down and wept.
Christian.—Did not one of the four men who kept guard on their sheep tell us to take heed lest Flatterer should spread a net for out feet?
Hopeful.—Those men, too, gave us a note of the way, but we have not read it, and so have not kept in the right path. Thus they lay in the net to weep and wail.
At last they saw a Bright One come up to them with a whip of fine cord in his hand, who said: What do you here? Whence come you?
They told him that their wish was to go to Zion, but that they had been led out of the way by a black man with a white cloak on, who, as he was bound for the same place, said he would show them the road.