My companion also
exulted, and said: "Did not I tell thee? Behold thou dost not know
one half of thy might, or of the great things thou art destined to
do. Come with me and I will show thee more than this, for these
young men cannot subsist without the exercises of sin. I listened
to their councils, and I know where they will meet again."
Accordingly he led me a little farther to the south, and we walked
aside till by degrees we saw some people begin to assemble; and
in a short time we perceived the same group stripping off their
clothes to make them more expert in the practice of madness and
folly. Their game was begun before we approached, and so also
were the oaths and cursing. I put my hands in my pockets, and
walked with dignity and energy into the midst of them. It was
enough. Terror and astonishment seized them. A few of them
cried out against me, but their voices were soon hushed amid the
murmurs of fear. One of them, in the name of the rest, then came
and besought of me to grant them liberty to amuse themselves;
but I refused peremptorily, dared the whole multitude so much as
to touch me with one of their fingers, and dismissed them in the
name of the Lord.
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