thought I should
have help from Him from whom all help comes, I would make no pause, but
would go at once, let the way be as rough as it might.

Christiana:--Well, Mercy, I will tell you what I would have you do. Go
with me as far as to the field gate, and there I will ask; and if no
hopes should be held out to you by Him who keeps the gate, you can but
go back to your home.

Mercy: Well, I will go with you, and the Lord grant that my lot may be
cast to dwell in the land for which my heart yearns.

Christiana then felt glad that she had a friend to join her, and that
her friend should have so great a care for her soul.

So they went on their way; but the face of Mercy wore so sad a mien that
Christiana said to her, What ails you? Why do you weep?

Mercy:--Oh, who could but weep to think of the state of my poor friends
near and dear to me, in our had town?

Christiana:--You feel for your friends as my good Christian did for me
when he left me, for it went to his heart to find that I would not see
these things in the same light as he did. And now, you, I, and these
dear boys, reap the fruits of all his woes. I hope, Mercy, these tears
of yours will not be shed in vain, for He who could not lie, has said
that they who sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Now when Christiana came up to the Slough Of Despond, she and her sons
made a stand, and Christiana told them that this was the place in which
her dear Christian fell. But Mercy said, Come, let us try; all we have
to do is to keep the steps well in view. Yet Christiana made a slip or
two in the mud; but at last they got through the slough, and then they
heard a voice say to them: Blest is she who hath faith, for those things
which were told her of the Lord shall come to pass.

So now they went on once more, and Mercy said, Had I as good grounds
to hope to get in at the gate as you have, I think no Slough Of Despond
would keep me back.

Well, said Christiana, you know your sore, and I know mine, and hard
toil will it be for both of us to get to the end of the way; for how
can we think that they who set out on a scheme of so much bliss, should
steer clear of frights and fears on their way to that bright bourn which
it is their aim to reach?

When they came to the gate, it took them some time to make out a plan of
what they should say to Him who stood there; and as Mercy was not so old
as her friend, she said that it must rest with Christiana to speak for
all of them.