Hope. But how if this Path should lead us out of the way?

Chr. That’s not like, said the other; look, doth it not go along by the way-side?  So Hopeful, being perswaded by his fellow, went after him over the Stile.  When they were gone over, and were got into the Path, they found it very easie for their feet:  and withal, they looking before them, espied a man walking as they did (and his name was Vain-confidence), so they called after him, and asked him whither that way led?  He said, To the Coelestial Gate.  Look, said Christian, did I not tell you so?  By this you may see we are right.  So they followed, and he went before them.  But behold the night came on, and it grew very dark, so that they that were behind lost the sight of him that went before.

He therefore that went before (Vain-confidence by name), not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep Pit, which was on purpose there made by the Prince of those grounds, to catch vain-glorious fools withall, and was dashed in pieces with his fall.

Now Christian and his fellow heard him fall.  So they called to know the matter, but there was none to answer, only they heard a groaning.  Then said Hopeful, Where are we now?  Then was his fellow silent as mistrusting that he had led him out of the way; and now it began to rain, and thunder, and lighten in a very dreadful manner, and the water rose amain.

Then Hopeful groaned in himself, saying, Oh that I had kept on my way!

Chr. Who could have thought that this Path should have led us out of the way?

Hope. I was afraid on’t at very first, and therefore gave you that gentle caution.  I would have spoke plainer, but that you are older then I.

Chr. Good Brother, be not offended; I am sorry I have brought thee out of the way, and that I have put thee into such eminent danger; pray, my Brother, forgive me, I did not do it of an evil intent.

Hope. Be comforted, my Brother, for I forgive thee; and believe too that this shall be for our good.

Chr. I am glad I have with me a merciful Brother; but we must not stand thus, let’s try to go back again.

Hope. But, good Brother, let me go before.

Chr. No, if you please, let me go first, that if there be any danger, I may be first therein, because by my means we are both gone out of the way.

Hope. No, said Hopeful, you shall not go first; for your mind being troubled may lead you out of the way again.  Then for their encouragement, they heard the voice of one saying Let thine heart be towards the Highway, even the way that thou wentest, turn again.  But by this time the waters were greatly risen, by reason of which the way of going back was very dangerous. (Then I thought that it is easier going out of the way when we are in, than going in when we are out.) Yet they adventured to go back; but it was so dark, and the flood was so high, that in their going back they had liked to have been drowned nine or ten times.