got into a vast howling wilderness, where there
seemed to be no way, only now and then I found some men and women's
footsteps, which was some comfort to me in my sorrow.]

One day, as I was travelling in the afternoon, a terrible storm arose,
with hail and thunder, and great wind, which lasted till night, and in
the night also. And being weary, both of body and mind, I laid me down
under a great tree, and after some time fell asleep. When I awaked
and came to myself, it was still very dark; and, looking about, I saw
a small light near me; and it came into my mind to go to it, and see
what it was; and as I went, the light went before me.

Then it came into my mind, that I had heard of false lights, as _ignis
fatuus_, and such like, that would lead people out of their way. Then
thought I again, how shall I be led out of my way, that know no way
of safety? And whilst I sat down to let these striving thoughts have
their course, I took notice, and beheld the light as near me as at the
first, as if it had waited for me. At which I was strongly affected,
and thought within myself, maybe some good spirit has come to take
pity on me, and to lead me out of this miserable condition. And so
a resolution arose in my mind that I would get up and follow it,
concluding in myself, that I could not be brought into a much worse
condition, than I was now in. So I arose and followed it; and it went
a gentle, easy pace at first, and I kept my eye straight to it. But
afterwards, I found a great part of the luggage and provision I had
got together, did but burden me in my journey; so I threw away one
thing, and then another, that I thought I could best spare; but kept a
great bundle of clothes still by me, not knowing whether I should need
them.

[Illustration: And whilst I sat down to let these striving thoughts
have their course, I took notice, and beheld the light as near me as
at the first, as if it had waited for me.]

As I thus went on, and the light before me, it led me out of the
wilderness, along a plain country, without trees or inhabitants; only
it appeared as if some few had gone that way;--and the light kept in
that strait path, without any winding or turning, till I came to the
foot of a great mountain; and, going up that mountain, I found it very
hard getting up, and began to consider my large bundle of clothes and
garments, and that several of them were of no use for a traveller as I
was, that did not know how far I should