commending herſelf to the Almighty's protection, compoſed herſelf to reſt. The next morning ſhe aroſe as ſoon as it was light, and travelling forward, perceived her path to be like that of the juſt, which the wiſe man tells us, ſhines more and more unto the perfect day. And, ſhe was encouraged to go on, becauſe ſhe fancied ſhe heard the barking of dogs; and, after travelling a little farther, ſhe was well aſſured it was a real thing and not a fancy only; and therefore ſhe purſued her journey the more eagerly: The ſun had not come to his meridian, when ſhe heard an unuſual ruſhing among the buſhes, and ſtanding ſtill to know what it might mean, ſhe perceived a grave old man, with two dogs following him, come from among the trees. They were both alike ſurpriſed at the interview; for the old man, having never ſeen any human creature in that place before, could not but be amazed to ſee a woman coming from the midſt of the wood; and therefore addreſſing himſelf to her, he enquired by what misfortune ſhe came thither? entreating her not to be afraid, for ſhe ſhould receive no harm from him. Deidamia, upon this, looking earneſtly upon him, and perceiving his carriage and demeanour to be what became the gravity of his years, ſhe told him, 'She was indeed in a wild place, and knew not the way out again.' To this, the old man replied, 'If ſhe would go with him to his homely cottage, his wife would conduct her out of the wood.' Deidamia preſently accepted of his kindneſs and went with him. And after they had gone about the ſpace of a mile, they came to his houſe, where the good old woman (who was ſomewhat ſurpriſed to ſee her huſband bring a ſtranger along with him) roſe up, and receiv-
