is breast, but Christian had a shield on his arm, with which he
caught it. Then did Christian draw his sword, for he saw it was time
to stir; and Apollyon as fast made at him, and threw darts as thick as
hail; with which, in spite of all that Christian could do, Apollyon gave
him wounds in his head, hand, and foot.

This made Christian pause in the fight for a time, but Apollyon still
came on, and Christian once more took heart. They fought for half a day,
till Christian, weak from his wounds, was well nigh spent in strength.
When Apollyon saw this, he threw him down with a great force; on which
Christian's sword fell out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, I am sure of
thee now.

But while he strove to make an end of Christian, that good man put out
his hand in haste to feel for his sword, and caught it. Boast not, oh
Apollyon! said he, and with that he struck him a blow which made his
foe reel back as one that had had his last wound. Then he spread out his
wings and fled, so that Christian for a time saw him no more.

Then there came to him a hand which held some of the leaves of the tree
of life; some of them Christian took, and as soon as he had put them to
his wounds, he saw them heal up.

Now near this place was the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and Christian
must needs go through it to get to The Celestial City. It was a land of
drought and full of pits, a land that none but such as Christian could
pass through, and where no man dwelt. So that here he was worst put to
it than in his fight with Apollyon, which by and by we shall see.

As he drew near the Shadow of Death he met with two men, to whom
Christian thus spoke: To what place do you go?

Men.--Back! Back! and we would have you do the same if you prize life
and peace.

Christian.--But why?

Men.--We went on as far as we durst.

Christian.--What then have you seen?

Men.--Seen! Why the Valley of the Shadow of Death; but by dint of good
luck we caught sight of what lay in front of it, ere we came up. Death
doth spread out his wings there. In a word it is a place full of bad
men, where no law dwells.

Christian.--I see not yet, by what you have told me, but that this is my
way to Zion.

Men.--Be it thy way then; we will not choose it for ours.

So they took their leave, and Christian went on, but still with his
drawn sword in his hand, for fear lest he should meet once more with a
foe.

I saw then in my dream that so far as this vale went, ther