Now, just as Mr. Feeble-mind and Gaius were thus in talk, there came one running, and called at the door, and said, that about a mile and a half off there was one Mr. Not-right, a pilgrim, struck dead upon the place where he was, with a thunderbolt.
Feeble. Alas! said Mr. Feeble-mind, is he slain? He evertook me some days before I came so far as hither, and would be my company-keeper. He was also with me when Slay-good, the giant, took me; but he was nimble of his heels, and escaped. But it seems he escaped to die, and I was taken to live.
What one would think doth seek to slay outright,
Oft times delivers from the saddest plight.
That very providence whose face is death,
Doth oft times to the lowly life bequeath.
I taken was, he did escape and flee;
Hands crossed gave death to him, and life to me.
Now, about this time Matthew and Mercy were married; also Gaius gave his daughter Phebe to James, Matthew's brother, to wife; after which time they yet stayed about ten days at Gaius's house, spending their time and the seasons like as pilgrims used to do.
When they were to depart, Gaius made them a feast, and they did eat and drink, and were merry. Now the hour was Come that they must be gone; wherefore Mr. Great-heart called for a reckoning. But Gaius told him, that at his house it was not the custom of pilgrims to pay for their entertainment. He boarded them by the year, but looked for his pay from the good Samaritan, who had promised him, at his returm whatsoever charge he was at, with them, faithfully to repay him. (Luke x. 34, 35.) Then said Mr. Great-heart—
Great. "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; which have borne witness of, thy charity before the church: whom if thou yet bring; their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt
