140 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

call to remembrance that which was told of a thing that happened to a good man here-
about. The name of that man was Little-Faith, but a good man, and he dwelt in the
town of Sincere. The thing was this: At the entering in at this passage, there comes
down from Broad-way Gate a lane called Dead Man’s Lane; so-called because of the
murders that are commonly done there; and this Little-Faith, going on pilgrimage as
we do now, chanced to sit down there, and slept. Now, there happened at that time to
come down that lane, from Broad-way Gate, three sturdy rogues, and their names were
Faint-heart, Mistrust, and Guilt, three brothers; and they espying Little-Faith, where
he was, came galloping up with speed. Now, the good man was just awaked from his
sleep, and was getting up to go on his journey. So they came up all to him, and with
threatening language bid him stand. At this, Little-Faith looked as white as a clout,
and had neither power to fight nor fly. Then said Faint-heart, ‘Deliver thy purse ;’
but he, making no haste to do it (for he was loth to lose his money), Mistrust ran up
to him, and, thrusting his hand into his pocket, pulled out thence a bag of silver.
Then he cried out, ‘Thieves! thieves!’ With that, Guilt, with a great club that was
in his hand, struck Little-Faith on the head, and with that blow felled him flat to the
ground, where he lay bleeding as one that would bleed to death. All this while the
thieves stood by. But, at last, they hearing that some were upon the road, and fearing
lest it should be one Great-Grace, that dwells in the city of Good-Confidence, they
betook themselves to their heels, and left this good man to shift for himself. Now,
after a while, Little-Faith came to himself, and, getting up, made shift to scramble on
his way. This was the story.”

Hope. But did they take from him all that ever he had?

Curis. No; the place where his jewels were they never ransacked ; so those he kept
still. But, as I was told, the good man was much afflicted for his loss, for the thieves
got most of his spending money. That which they got not, as I said, were jewels ;
also he had a little odd money left, but scarce enough to bring him to his journey’s
end. Nay, if I was not misinformed, he was forced to beg as he went, to keep himself
alive, for his jewels he might not sell; but, beg and do what he could, he went, as we
say, with many a hungry belly the most part of the rest of the way.’

Hore. But is it not a wonder they got not from him his certificate, by which he was
to receive admission at the Celestial Gate ?

Curis. It is a wonder; but they got not that, though they missed it not through
any good cunning of his; for he, being dismayed by their coming upon him, had
neither power nor skill to hide anything; so it was more by good providence than by
his endeavor, that they missed of that good thing.”®