where we have no abiding place, and too little of that glorious country which we all hope to reach ? It is truly said, that prosperity is a more dangerous trial than adversity; and, perhaps, without the refining fire of the latter, I should have been one of those apparently fortunate but really most unfortunate ones who are doomed to have their portion in this world. But it gets late," remarked the good old man, "and time will not allow of my entering more at length into my history: suffice it to say, that during a long life, chequered with more of temporal ill than falls to the lot of most persons, I never lost my hope and humble confidence in the great Disposer of all things; and thus I gained my name of Sure-Trust.' Since I was appointed keeper and dispenser of the famous spring at the foot of this hill, my patient expectation has been rewarded by the enjoyment of peace and tranquillity, the cheerful society of Philemon, and, occasionally, that of travelling pilgrims like yourselves, who have sojourned awhile in my quiet abode."

Paul. "In your patience possess ye your souls," is a Divine precept, which you seem to have followed with benefit to yourself.

Hermit. I am thankful that I was enabled to do

THE JOURNEY RESUMED.

49

so, for I have observed in my long life that patience, like some other passive virtues, is too much disregarded by mankind, who, from the want of it, make themselves suffer twice as much as the misfortunes inflicted on them would alone cause.

Now I saw that they rose to betake themselves to rest for the night, their kind host insisting on giving up his adjoining apartment to Paul, and conducting Grace to a small one which was called Philemon's, having been his when a boy, and occupied occasionally by him still; while the old man himself rested on a couch in the room they were then in.

The sun had risen more than an hour before either of the pilgrims awoke the next morning, for the anxious excitement and weariness of the previous day made them sleep soundly, and they each felt strengthened and refreshed when they joined the Hermit, who welcomed them to a cheerful breakfast; and after conversing with Paul of all that had befallen him and his lost companion previously to his arrival there, and reassuring him that he would do all in his power to gain intelligence of poor Luke, he conducted him and Grace to the foot of the Hill Difficulty again, giving them to drink of the pure water of the spring, which flowed into a large basin

E

of white marble, set there since the time of Christian's pilgrimage. He then presented them each with a staff to assist their steps up the hill, bade them an affectionate farewell, and they parted with mutual feelings of regret, and of gratitude on the part of the cousins, who, I saw, began now to mount the hill vigorously; but as they proceeded, it became more and more steep, and Grace said :—

"If it had not been for this staff of Sure-Trust, I think I could hardly have got on."

66

And I," said Paul, "stumbled just now on a large rolling loose stone, and had well-nigh rolled back with it to the bottom, but that my staff supported me."

Now I observed that the part they came to was covered with short turf, and so slippery, that if they had not advanced, however slowly, they must have retrograded, for there was no standing still, and sometimes they were obliged to scramble on their hands and knees; at last, they reached some stunted shrubs that grew on a small patch of more level ground, and served them to rest against for a few minutes.

66

You pro

Then said Paul to his companion, mised to tell me the cause of my finding you in

THEY ASCEND THE HILL.

51

that labyrinth, yesterday, but I have not yet heard it."

Grace. And so I will, dear cousin, when I get sufficient breath to do so, but at present it is nearly exhausted with mounting this steep ascent.

"True," said Paul, “I chose a bad time to make my request; but I suppose we shall soon get to the arbour which is erected for pilgrims, just above the steepest and longest half of the hill.”

Grace. Let us not tarry longer here, then, for I begin to breathe more freely now; and perhaps the next turn in the road may give us a view of this arbour, which I think will be welcome to us both."

So I saw that they again proceeded, their path turning to the left; and the way, being now on a gravelly soil instead of turf, was no longer slippery, and they advanced with rather more expedition: nor was it long before (as Grace had predicted) they caught a sight of their desired resting-place at little more than a stone's throw from them, and presently they arrived there, to their no small pleasure, for both were weary and out of breath. It was a delightful bower, fragrant with the honeysuckle and jessamine (now in bloom) that were trained up round the entrance; they gladly entered, and as they seated

themselves thought how in former times, Christian, Christiana, and their own respective parents, had rested their tired limbs on the same spot they now occupied, and were now enjoying that eternal rest in the glorious country which they hoped in due time to gain. And thus they sat talking of what had befallen the pilgrims of past days, when Grace observed, through the trellis-work of the arbour, two men advancing towards it, as briskly as the hill would allow, and more so than they had done; she pointed them out to her companion, and both looked but could only discern the foremost one, the other being nearly hid behind him.

Paul exclaimed, "It looks like Philemon, whom we saw with the good Sure-Trust!"

66

Indeed, I think it is," said Grace; "and he seems to be conducting some one up this Hill of Difficulty."

Whilst they continued observing them, he turned to speak to his fellow, who now came up alongside him; and oh! who shall tell the joy of the two cousins when they beheld Luke, for he it was. Both rushed from the arbour towards him, and a happier meeting can scarcely be imagined than that which took place between the three. Nor was the kind