204 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

Now, I saw that they went to the ascent that was a little way off, cast up to be a
prospect for pilgrims. That was the place from whence Christian had the first sight
of Faithful his brother. Wherefore here they sat down and rested. They also here
did eat and drink and make merry, for that they had gotten deliverance from this so
dangerous an enemy. As they sat thus and did eat, Christiana asked the guide if he
had caught no hurt in the battle. Then said Mr. Great-heart, “ No, save a little on
my flesh ; yet that also shall be so far from being to my detriment, that it is at present
a proof of my love to my Master and you, and shall be a means, by grace, to increase
my reward at last.”

Cur. But were you not afraid, good sir, when you saw him come out with his club ?

Great. “It is my duty,” said he, “to mistrust my own ability, that I may have ~
reliance on Him who is stronger than all.”

Cur. But what did you think when he fetched you down to the ground at the first
blow?

Great. “Why, I thought,” replied he, “that so my Master Himself was served ;
and yet He it was that conquered at the last.” ©

Mart. When you all have thought what you please, I think God has been wonderful
good unto us, both in bringing us out of this valley, and in delivering us out of the
hand of this enemy. For my part, I see no reason why we should distrust our God
any more, since He has now, and in such a place as this, given us such testimony of
His love as this.

Then they got up and went forward. Now, a little before them stood an oak; and
under it, when they came to it, they found an old pilgrim fast asleep. They knew that
he was a pilgrim by his clothes, and his staff, and his girdle.

So the guide, Mr. Great-heart, awaked him; and the old gentleman, as he lifted up
his eyes, cried out, ‘‘ What’s the matter? who are you, and what is your business here?”

Great. Come, man, be not so hot; here are none but friends.

Yet the old man gets up, and stands upon his guard, and will know of them whet
they are. Then said the guide, “My name is Great-heart; I am the guide of these
pilgrims, that are going to the Celestial Country.”

Honest. Then said Mr. Honest, “I ery you mercy: I feared that you had been of
the company of those that some time ago did rob Little-Faith of his money; but now
I look better about me I perceive you are honester people.”

Great. Why, what would or could you have done to have helped yourself, if we
indeed had been of that company ?

Hon. Done! why, I would have fought as long as breath had been in me; and,