THEY PRAY FOR LIGHT. 287 have heard much of this place, but I never was here before now. Poor man! he went here all alone, in the night; he had night almost quite through the way also these fiends were busy about him, as if they would have torn him in pieces. Many have spoke of it, but none tell what the Valley of the Shadow of Death should mean until they come in themselves. The heart knows its own bitterness; a stranger intermeddleth not with its joy. To be here is a fearful thing.' Gr.-h. This is like doing business in great waters, or like going down into the deep; this is like being in the heart of the sea, and like going down to the bottoms of the mountains; now it seems as if the earth, with its bars, were about us for ever. • But let them that walk in darkness, and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon their God.' For my part, as I have told you already, I have gone often through this valley; and have been much harder put to it than I now am; and yet you see I am alive. I would not boast, for that I am not mine own saviour. But I trust we shall have a good deliverance. Come, pray for light to him that can lighten our darkness, and that can rebuke, not only these, but all the Satans in hell. So they cried and prayed, and God sent light and deliverance; for there was now no let in their way, no not there where but now they were stopt with a pit. Yet they were not got through the valley: so they went on still, and beheld great stinks and loathsome smells to the great annoyance of them. Then said Mercy to Christiana, There is not such plea 6 288 GOD SENDS DELIVERANCE. sant being here as at the gate, or at the Interpreter's, or at the house where we lay last.' ' O but,' said one of the boys, it is not so bad to go through here, as it is to abide here always; and for aught I know, one reason why we must go this way to the house prepared for us is, that our home might be made the sweeter to us.' 'Well said, Samuel,' quoth the guide, thou hast now spoke like a man.' 'Why, if ever I get out here again,' said the boy, I think I shall prize light and good way better than ever I did in all my life.' Then said the guide, We shall be out by and by.' So on they went, and Joseph said, 'Cannot we see to the end of this valley as yet?' Then said the guide, Look to your feet; for we shall presently be among snares.' So they looked to their feet, and went on; but were troubled much with the snares. Now when they were come among the snares, they espied a man cast into the ditch on the left hand, with his flesh all rent and torn. Then said the guide, That is one Heedless, that was going this way; he has lain there a great while. There was one Take-heed with him when he was taken and slain, but he escaped their hands. You cannot imagine how many are killed hereabouts, and yet men are so foolishly venturous, as to set out lightly on pilgrimage, and to come without a guidé. Poor Christian, it was a wonder that he here escaped! but he was beloved of his God: also he had a good heart of his own, or else he could never have done it.' Now they drew towards the end of the way; and (1) Part I. p. 70. MAUL ASSAULTS GREAT-HEART. 289 just there where Christian had seen the cave when he went by, out thence came forth Maul a giant. This Maul did use to spoil young pilgrims with sophistry; and he called Great-heart by his name, and said unto him, 'How many times have you been forbidden to do these things?' Then said Mr. Greatheart, What things? What things!' quoth the giant; you know what things: but I will put an end to your trade.' 'But pray,' said Mr. Greatheart, before we fall to it, let us understand wherefore we must fight.' (Now the women and children stood trembling, and knew not what to do). Quoth the giant,' You rob the country, and rob it with the worst of thieves.' These are but generals,' said Mr. Great-heart; 6 come to particulars, man.' Then said the giant, Thou practisest the craft of a kidnapper; thou gatherest up women and children, and carriest them into a strange country, to the weakening of my master's kingdom.'-But now Greatheart replied, 'I am a servant of the God of heaven ; my business is to persuade sinners to repentance; I am commanded to do my endeavour to turn men, women, and children, from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God;' and if this be indeed the ground of thy quarrel, let us fall to it as soon as thou wilt.' Then the giant came up, and Mr. Great-heart went to meet him: and as he went he drew his sword; but the giant had a club.-So without more ado, they fell to it, and at the first blow the giant struck Mr. Great-heart down upon one of his knees; with that the women and children cried: so Mr. Great |