od, and across swollen
torrents. But after a while all these were left behind. The way
passed on between cleft rocks, into green pastures, and by still
waters; and in the desert were sweet springs which gave forth
abundantly.

But some who tried to follow him said that his Chart was not explicit
enough. Every step in the journey, they contended, should be laid out
exactly; for to travel safely one should never be left in doubt.

Now, it chanced that on the slope of the mountain there was a huge
granite rock, which stood in the midst of the way. Some of the
travelers passed to the right of it, while others turned to the left.
Strangely enough, the Chart said nothing concerning this rock. No hint
was given as to how one should pass by it.

When they came to the rock, many of the travelers took counsel one of
another, and at last a great multitude was gathered there. Which way
had he taken? For in the path he took they must surely go. Many
scanned the rock on every side, to find if haply he had left some
secret mark upon it. But they found none; or, rather, no one could
convince the others that the hidden marks he found were intended for
their guidance.

At nightfall, after much discussion, the old men in the council gave
their decision. The safe way led to the right. So he who kept the
Chart marked upon it the place of the rock, and he wrote upon the Chart
that the one true path leads to the right. Henceforth each man should
know the way he must go.

Moreover, those who bore the records showed that this decision was
justified. They wrote upon the Chart a long argument, chain upon chain
and reason upon reason, to prove that from the beginning it was decreed
that by this rock should the destiny of man be tested.

But in spite of argument, there were still some who chose the left-hand
path because they verily believed that this was the only right way.
They, too, justified their course by arguments, line upon line and
precept upon precept. And each band tried to make its following as
large as it could. Some men stood all day by the side of the rock,
urging people to come with them to the right or to the left. For,
strangely enough, although each man had his own journey to make, and
must cross the river at last alone, he was eager that all others should
go along with him.

And as each band grew larger, its members took pride in the growth of
its numbers. In the larger bands, trumpets were blown, harps