Therefore John rode down the slope, with sorrow, and great caution.

And these grew more as he went onward, and his pony reared against him, being scared, although a native of the roughest moorland.

And John had just made up his mind that God meant this for a warning, as the passage seemed darker and deeper, when suddenly he turned a corner, and saw a scene which stopped him.
For there was the Wizard's Slough itself, as black as death, and bubbling, with a few scant yellow reeds in a ring around it.

Outside these, bright water-grass of the liveliest green was creeping, tempting any unwary foot to step, and plunge, and founder.

And on the marge were blue campanula, sundew, and forget-me-not, such as no child could resist.