-heart and the rest of the men who were at Mr. Mnason's house,
made up their minds to kill this snake, and so rid the town of him. So
they went forth to meet him, and at first the snake did not seem to heed
them; but as they were strong men at arms, they drove him back. Then
they lay in wait for him, and fell on him, till at last they knew he
must die of his wounds. By this deed Mr. Great-heart and the rest won
the good will of the whole town.

The time now drew near for them to go on their way. Mr. Great-heart went
first as their guide; and I saw in my dream that they came to the stream
on this side of The Delectable Mountains, where fine trees grew on each
bank, the leaves of which were good for the health, and the fields were
green all the year round; and here they might lie down and be safe.
Here, too, there were folds for sheep, and a house was built in which to
rear the lambs, and there was One who kept watch on them, who would take
them in His arms and lay them in His breast.

Now Christiana bade the four young wives place their babes by the side
of this stream, so that they might lack nought in time to come. For,
said she, if they should stray or be lost, He will bring them back;
He will give strength, to the sick, and here they shall not want meat,
drink, or clothes. So they left their young ones to Him.

When they went to By-Path Meadow they sat on the stile to which
Christian had gone with Hopeful, when Giant Despair shut the two up in
Doubting Castle. They sat down to think what would be the best thing
to do, now that they were so strong a force, and had such a man as Mr.
Great-heart to guide them; to wit, if it would not be well to pull down
Doubting Castle, and should there be poor souls shut up there who were
on their way to The Celestial City, to set them free. One said this
thing and one said that; at last quoth Mr. Great-heart: We are told
in the book of God's Word, that we are to fight the good fight. And, I
pray, with whom should we fight if not with Giant Despair? So who will
go with me?

Christiana's four sons said: We will; for they were young and strong; so
they left their wives and went.

When they gave their knock at the gate, Giant Despair and his wife
Diffidence, came to them.

Giant Despair:--Who and what is he that is so bold as to come to the
gate of Giant Despair?

Great-heart:--It is I, a guide to those who are on their way to Zion.
And I charge thee to throw wide thy gates and s