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106 to their heels, and left this good man to shift for himself. Now, after a while, Littlefaith came to himself, and getting up, made shift to scramble on his way. This was the story.

. But did they take from him all that ever he had?

. No; the place where his jewels were they never ransacked; so those he kept still. But, as I was told, the good man was much afflicted for his loss; for the thieves got most of his spending-money. That which they got not, as I said, were jewels; also, he had a little odd money left, but scarce enough to bring him to his journey’s end. Nay (if I was not misinformed), he was forced to beg as he went, to keep himself alive, for his jewels he might not sell; but beg and do what he could, he went hungry the most part of the way.

. But is it not a wonder they got not from him his certificate, by which he was to receive his admittance at the Celestial Gate?

. It is a wonder; but they got not that, though they missed it not through any good cunning of his; for he, being dismayed by their coming upon him, had neither power nor skill to hide anything; so it was more by good providence than by his endeavor that they missed of that good thing.

So they went on, and Ignorance followed. They went on till they came to a place where they saw a way put itself into their way, and seemed withal to lie as straight as the way which they should go; and here they knew not which of the two to take, for both seemed straight before them: therefore, here they stood still to consider. And, as they were thinking about the way, behold, a man, black of flesh, but covered with a very white robe, came to them, and asked them