. Then they went on till they came up
to two large beasts of prey.

Now Great-heart was a strong man, so he had no fear; but their fierce
looks made the boys start, and they all clung round Great-heart.

How now, my boys! You march on first, as brave as can be, when there is
no cause for fear; but when a test of your strength comes, you shrink.

Now when Great-heart drew his sword to force a way, there came up one
Giant Grim, who said in a gruff voice, What right have you to come here?

Great-heart:--These folk are on their way to The Celestial City, and
this is the road they shall go, in spite of thee and the wild beasts.

Grim:--This is not their way, nor shall they go on it. I am come forth
to stop them, and to that end will back the wild beasts.

Now, to say the truth, so fierce were these beasts, and so grim the
looks of them that the road was grown with weeds and grass from want of
use. And still Grim bade them turn, For, said he, you shall not pass.

But their guide came up, and struck so hard at him with his sword as to
force him to fall back.

Giant Grim:--Will you slay me on my own ground?

Great-heart:--It is the King's high way on which we stand, and in His
way it is that you have put these beasts. But these, who are in my
charge, though weak, shall hold on in spite of all. And with that he
dealt him a blow that brought him to the ground; so Giant Grim was
slain.

Then Great-heart said, Come now with me, and you shall take no harm from
the two beasts. So they went by, but shook from head to foot at the mere
sight of their teeth and claws.

At length they came in sight of the lodge, to which they soon went up,
but made the more haste to get there as it grew dusk. So when they were
come to the gate the guide gave a knock, and the man at the lodge said
in a loud voice, Who is there?

Great-heart:--It is I

Mr. Watchful:--How now, Mr. Great-heart? What has brought you here at
so late an hour? Then Great-heart told him that he had come with some
friends on their way to Zion.

Mr. Watchful:--Will you go in and stay till the day dawns?

Great-heart:--No, I will go back to my Lord to night.

Christiana:--Ah, Sir, I know not how we can part with you, for it is to
your stout heart that we owe our lives. You have fought for us, you
have taught us what is right, and your faith and your love have known no
bounds.

Mercy:--O that we could have you for our guide all the rest of the way!
For how can suc