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rations, with vigorous resolution, for their

journey, And amongst other consultations

with the old man, their instructor, they

earnestly craved his advice, Whether it

were expedient for each of them to take

along with him afemalecompanion ? which

he very chearfully encouraged them to do,

provided they were such as were disposed

to go the same way, and had their hearts

engaged to seek the same country. Other-

wise, he admonished them, by all means,

to avoid such companions as had no know-

ledge of, or delight in, the way they design-

ed to travel. He pointed out to them many

difficulties in the way, where the company

of strangers would be of very dangerous

consequences; and further informed them

of many instances, what bad effects travel-

lers, who had formerly gone that way, had

found from disagreeable companions : to

prevent which inconveniences, the king of

the country had made a law, that none of

his subjects should join with strangers, to

be companions in that journey.

I waited to see what influence this advice

would have upon the minds of these young

men. But I observed, that, at the first,

none of them seemed to relish his counsel;

for they had all either contracted some

acquaintance with, or placed their fancy

upon, maids who were natives of Babylon.

But the more they appeared engaged in