in me!
My joy abounded,--my fear of the serpents abated,--my love to my
kind and tender guide increased,--and my courage and confidence were
renewed,--and I began to believe I was in the right way to attain my
desire. So on I went, keeping my eye to the light through them all,
without harm, till I came to the top of the mountain; and then I saw
an exceeding large valley, so that I could not see the farther side of
it: it seemed to be all moors, or places of water, and bogs and mire
all over the valley, which began again to dishearten me; but, thought
I, what shall I do? All is well hitherto. I was strangely delivered
from the serpents; and whatever comes of it, if this light leave me
not, I will follow it, if it be through fire and water.

[Illustration: So that sometimes the light shined round about me, and
I walked in the shinings of it with great fulness of spirit.]

So I kept on, and went down the mountain, a gentle easy pace, and saw
many of those cruel creatures by the way, who put out their stings
at me, but none hurt me. And I took notice the nearer I kept to the
light, the more they kept from me. So I got down to the bottom of the
mountain, into the large valley, which was very green and pleasant
for a little way; but by and by, the light went toward a great moorish
ground full of water, and that I thought was very dangerous; but
coming just to the side of the place, I saw a small narrow path
through the middle of it, just broad enough for a man to go upon it;
and into that narrow way the light led me, and went before me. Whilst
I kept my eye steady to it, I went on safely: but if at any time I
began to gaze about, my feet slipt into the mire and puddles; and then
I had much ado to get into my way again. Had not the light kindly and
tenderly waited for me, I had lost sight of it, and had perished in
the way; for sometimes it was so far before me, that I could hardly
discern it; and then I would quicken my diligence, and be more careful
of my goings, and keep as close to it as I could; so that sometimes
the light shined round about me, and I walked in the shinings of it
with great fulness of spirit.

After a long time walking in this narrow way, I lifted up my eyes to
the farther side of the moorish valley, and saw beyond, that there was
a very high mountain, and on the top of it there was a great house:
at the sight of which I was greatly comforted, supposing that might be
the house I had for a long time sou