go therein. I am come forth to withstand them, and to that end I will back the lions. Now, to say the truth, by reafon of the fierceness of the lions, and the grim carriage of him who did back them, this way of late had lain much unoccupied, and was almost all grown over with grass. Then faid Chriftiana, Though the highways have been unoccupied heretofore, and though the travellers have been made in times paft to walk through by-paths, it must not be fo, Now I am rifen, now I am rifen a mother in Ifrael, Judges v. 6, 7. Then Grim fwore by the lions but it fhould, and bad them turn afide, for they fhould not have paffage there. But Great-heart, their guide, made first his approach unto Grim, and laid fo heavily on him with his fword, that he forced him to retreat. Then faid he who attempted to back the lions, Will you flay me upon my own ground? Great-heart anfwered, We are in the King's highway, and in this way thou haft placed the lions; but these women, and these children, though weak, shall hold on their way in fpite of thy lions. With that he gave him again a downright blow, which brought him upon his knees. With this blow he broke his helmet, and with the next cut off an arm. Then did the giant roar fo hideously, that his voice frighted the women, yet they were glad to see him lie fprawling upon the ground. Now the lions were chained, and fo, of themfelves, could do nothing. Wherefore, when old Grim, who intended to back them, them, was dead, Mr. Great-heart faid to the pilgrims, Come now, and follow me, and no hurt shall happen to you from the lions. Therefore they went on; but the women trembled as they paffed by; the boys alfo looked as if they would die; but they all got by without further hurt. Now they were within fight of the porter's lodge, and foon came up unto it; but they made the more hafte after this to go thither, because it is dangerous travelling there in the night. So when they were come to the gate, the guide knocked, and the porter cried, Who is there? As soon as the guide had faid, It is I, he knew his voice, and came down (for the guide had oft, before that, come thither as a conductor of pilgrims); when he was come down he opened the gate, and feeing the guide standing juft before it (for he faw not the women, for they were behind him), he faid unto him, How now, Mr. Great-heart, what is your business here fo late at night? I have brought, faid he, fome pilgrims hither; where, by my Lord's commandment, they muft lodge: I had been here fome time ago, had I not been oppofed by the giant who was used to back the lions. But, after a long and tedious combat with him, I have cut him off, and brought the pilgrims hither in safety. Porter. Will you not go in, and stay till morning? Great-heart. No, I will return to my Lord to night. Chrift. Chrift. Oh, Sir, I know not how to confent to your leaving us in our pilgrimage; you have been fo faithful and fo loving to us; you have fought so ftoutly for us; you have been fo hearty in counfeling us: I fhall never forget your favour towards us. Then faid Mercy, O that we might have thy company to our journey's end! How can fuch poor women as we are hold out in a way, fo full of troubles as this, without a friend and defender? Then faid James, the youngest of the boys, Pray, Sir, be perfuaded to go with us, and help us, because we are so weak, and the way fo dangerous. Great-heart. I am at my Lord's commandment: if he shall allot me to be your guide quite through, I will willingly wait upon you: but in this you failed at the firft; when he bad me come thus far with you, then you fhould have begged of him to have let me have gone quite through with you; he would have granted your requeft. However at present I must withdraw; and fo, good Christiana, Mercy, and my brave children, adieu. Then the porter, Mr. Watchful, asked Christiana of her country and kindred. She faid, I am come from the city of Destruction; I am a widow woman, and my husband is dead, his name was Chriftian the pilgrim. How, faid the porter, was he your husband? Yes, faid fhe, and these are his children; and this, pointing to Mercy, is one of my town's women. Then the porter rang his bell, as at fuch times he is |