efore him, fell into a deep pit, which was on purpose there made,
by the prince of those grounds, to catch vainglorious fools withal, and
was dashed in pieces with his fall.

Now Christian and his fellow heard him fall. So they called to know the
matter, but there was none to answer, only they heard a groaning. Then
said Hopeful, Where are we now? Then was his fellow silent, as
mistrusting that he had led him out of the way; and now it began to
rain, and thunder and lighten in a most dreadful manner, and the water
rose amain.

Then Hopeful groaned in himself, saying, Oh that I had kept on my way!

_Chr._ Who could have thought that this path should have led us out of
the way?

_Hope._ I was afraid on it at the very first, and therefore gave you
that gentle caution. I would have spoken plainer, but that you are older
than I.

_Chr._ Good brother, be not offended; I am sorry I have brought thee out
of the way, and that I have put thee into such imminent danger. Pray, my
brother, forgive me; I did not do it of an evil intent.

_Hope._ Be comforted, my brother, for I forgive thee; and believe, too,
that this shall be for our good.

_Chr._ I am glad I have with me a merciful brother; but we must not
stand here; let us try to go back again.

_Hope._ But, good brother, let me go before.

_Chr_: No, if you please, let me go first, that if there be any danger,
I may be first therein, because by my means we are both gone out of the
way.

No, said Hopeful, you shall not go first, for your mind being troubled
may lead you out of the way again. Then, for their encouragement, they
heard the voice of one saying, "Let thine heart be toward the highway,
even the way that thou wentest; turn again." But by this time the waters
were greatly risen, by reason of which the way of going back was very
dangerous. (Then I thought that it is easier going out of the way when
we are in, than going in when we are out.) Yet they adventured to go
back; but it was so dark, and the flood was so high, that in their going
back they had like to have drowned nine or ten times.

Neither could they, with all the skill they had, get again to the stile
that night. Wherefore at last, lighting under a little shelter, they sat
down there until the day brake; but, being weary, they fell asleep. Now
there was, not far from the place they lay, a castle, called Doubting
Castle, the owner whereof was Giant Despair, and it was in his grounds
they now were s