by Chris Wright
"Tell us where you've come from," one said.
"And who gave you that shield and those silly clothes?" another demanded.
"Why don't you look at the shops?" a third asked. "What do you want to buy from us? How about buying some proper clothes?"
"You don't need a sword and a shield," one stallholder called to me. "Sell them, and buy something worth having. And you," he said, pointing at Faithful, "wear something different. The King's clothes make you look ridiculous."
Faithful shook his head, "These are the King's clothes, and we don't need any of your goods. We're going to the Celestial City."
This made the people jeer, and one man pushed Faithful so hard that he would have fallen if I'd not been holding him.
By this time a gang of children had run towards us, and some older people stopped to discover the reason for all the noise. Then I saw one of the evil prince's servants pushing his way through the gathering crowd. The man must have seen my shining helmet, so he would know we were pilgrims.
"What are you doing?" he demanded, as he seized us by our shoulders. "Our prince doesn't allow fighting in the streets."
"We're not fighting," I said. "We were walking along quietly."
"That's nonsense," the man shouted. "I've been watching you causing a disturbance here in the market. You must come with me."
"We're the King's pilgrims," Faithful said boldly. "We're not disturbing anyone. We only want to pass through your town."
"I don't know anything about the King's pilgrims," the man retorted. "All I can see is that you're two foolish, troublesome young people, and you must be taken before the Governor."
So he led us down the street to the Governor's house, and the people of the town followed, laughing and making fun of us.
CHAPTER 24
The Governor
When Faithful and I were brought before the Governor of the town, he rubbed his hands together as though glad to have an excuse to punish someone who loved the King.
"We were doing nothing wrong," Faithful protested. "Some people in the town made fun of us, but we did nothing to them. There are plenty of people out there who can give evidence that we are innocent."
Somehow, I doubted there were any who would be willing to stand up for us.
"That's quite enough," the Governor said. "You are nothing but a nuisance, and you will both be beaten. Afterwards you will be shut in our jail, as an example to others, lest any should try to speak up for you, or think of becoming pilgrims too."
I knew it was no use saying anything in our defence, and when I heard the Governor say this, I felt very scared.
Faithful look pale, but he whispered to me, "If we die, we'll go straight to the King in the Celestial City. I shall think of the King's Son, because I know he's with me."
A man came forward to beat us, and I remembered how I thought I'd seen the King's Son nailed to the Cross, and how he'd given his life there for me.
"The King's Son didn't mind the pain," I whispered, "and we mustn't mind it either, because we're the King's servants. It says in my Book that the King's servants are to be like his Son."
So although the strokes of the heavy cane on my back and legs made me want to scream, I tried not to cry out too loudly. Faithful behaved even more bravely.
The jail was a place in the middle of the market, with iron bars in front of it, looking like a cage for wild animals. After we'd been beaten, the jailer bound our hands and feet with chains, and the man who'd beaten us threw us into the cage and left us there.
I was unable to stand upright, I was in such pain. So I sat with Faithful, and we tried to comfort each other by retelling the King's promises.
"We knew they could be cruel," Faithful told me, "but it's for the King that we've been hurt. I'm glad I put up a good defence and refused to deny him as Lord and Master. He will always be with us."
When the rest of the people in the town heard that two of the King's pilgrims were lying in the cage they were eager to see us, and a crowd soon gathered round to stare and mock.
The people of Vanity Fair said all kinds of cruel things to upset us, and make us displease the King's Son by being hateful and furious with them. But we sat still, and neither of us gave an angry answer to anything they said.
At last some of the people, when they saw how patient we were, cried out, "Let them alone now. They've been beaten, and they've behaved bravely. Don't insult them any more."
But others seemed to enjoy seeing us suffer. So they went on taunting us until their companions grew angry with them, and before long there was a great disturbance in the market as the people who were sorry for us began to fight with those who were making fun.
The Governor came to see the cause of the disturbance, and commanded his men to stop the fighting. He ordered the men to beat us again, because he said the disturbance was our fault.
After our beating, the men threw us back into the cage.
CHAPTER 25
Judge Hate-Good
When the morning came, we were pulled from the cage. "Are you setting us free?" I asked the man who dragged us across the marketplace.
"Free?" the man jeered. "You're going to the Governor's Court. Judge Hate-Good sits specially to try prisoners like you. He's old, but he knows a pilgrim when he sees one. You two are in serous trouble. The judge can't stand the King."
With this, he laughed and pulled us along quickly. We stumbled forward to the courtroom with our legs in chains. Once there, Judge Hate-Good demanded to know what we'd been doing.
A boy named Envy, whom I recognised as one of the first to run after us and make fun, stood up to answer the judge's question. He said he'd known us when we were living in the City of Destruction, and we were disobedient and quarrelsome, and refused to honour the prince who was the ruler of their country.
Two men stood up, and agreed that what Envy said was true, for they also knew who we were. They told Judge Hate-Good they were afraid we'd do great harm to the young people of Vanity Fair if we were set free. They'd seen us laughing at the wonderful treasures with which their prince had filled the town, and saying they were not worth having, and pretending we knew of a finer city and another King whose laws were better than the laws of their prince.
I looked across the courtroom and saw twelve grim-faced men. They must be the jury whose duty it would be to listen to everything that was said about us, and then help Judge Hate-Good decide whether we deserved punishment or not. They were almost certainly chosen from among the chief servants of the evil prince, and were unlikely to be fair to any of the King's pilgrims.
When Faithful asked if he might speak in his defence, the judge answered, "You ought to be put to death immediately for what you've done, but first we will hear what you have to say."
I wondered how it was that Faithful had become so brave. His face was white, but he no longer sounded frightened, even though the judge and the people in the court looked so spiteful.
Then Faithful began to answer, saying that he was against their prince who had set himself up as higher than the King. "As for the disturbance," Faithful said loudly, "we were not responsible for it. We came here in peace. The people of this town caused the trouble, because they couldn't bear to hear the truth about your prince."
"And what is the truth?" the Judge asked.
"Your prince is evil," Faithful said, "and I defy him and all his angels."
Judge Hate-Good turned to the jury with anger in his eyes, and said, "You have heard what Envy and his companions have told us about these two, and Faithful does not deny it. He refuses to serve our prince, and by the laws of our town he ought to be put to death."
Then the twelve men answered, "We can see that both these pilgrims are wicked, but Faithful is worse because he speaks against our prince. We say he must be killed, but Christian can be taken back to jail."
I was in such a panic about all that was happening that I barely took in what the men in the jury were saying. Then the soldiers led Faithful out
of the court. Quickly they returned and took me to the cage in the marketplace, and from there I could see Faithful being beaten again. Some people started throwing stones as he fell to the ground. Then they rushed forward and kicked him.
"Oh, Faithful, Faithful," I called out, but Faithful didn't answer. He was looking up, his face shining.
And there, above the angry crowd, I saw a chariot and horses in the sky waiting for Faithful. Then, with a sound of trumpets, angels carried Faithful up through the clouds, leaving his broken body in the marketplace.
CHAPTER 26
Hopeful
I lay with my eyes closed for some time, feeling too weak to move or speak. Eventually I opened them and realised I was no longer in the cage, but in a small room lying on a low bed, and a woman was bending over me. She was dressed like all the women in Vanity Fair, and although she didn't appear unkind, her face had a strange look that made me cautious.
"My husband is the man who keeps the jail," she explained. "When you fainted, the soldiers carried you from the marketplace, and I felt sorry for you."
She had a bowl of water, and bathed my hands and face, staying with me until I began to feel better.
"You're too young to be a pilgrim," she said. "I want to keep you here in this house and take care of you."
I knew I was right to be cautious. This woman was planning to stop me going on with my journey. "You've been kind to me," I said, "but I can't stay. I want to go to the King."
"I was going to the King once," the woman said, rather sadly, "but the Way was hard. Anyway, I've been happy enough in this town."
"You'd be happier with the King," I told her. "Faithful is with him already. I saw the King's angels waiting for him. And if they ever let me out of this place, I'm going to travel as fast as I can to the end of my journey."
The woman bent down closely to me, and I could see unhappiness in her eyes. "I was sorry when they told me about Faithful," she whispered, "but they're not going to kill you."
"I don't think I'd have minded if they had," I said. "I'd have gone straight to the Celestial City. Even if I'm allowed to continue, I'll be travelling on my own now Faithful is living with the King."
"They're only going to keep you for a few more days," the woman told me. "If you stay here with me, I promise I'll be kind to you."
I shook my head. "I can't stay. I love the King, and I must go to him."
After four days, the keeper of the jail told me that the governor of the town had given an order for me to be given my armour and set free, so I started once more on my journey. The jailor's wife told me she was sorry to see me go, and as I left she told me to think of her sometimes.
"I'll tell the King how you've helped me," I promised. "Perhaps you'll be a pilgrim again some day. If I see you coming into the Celestial City I'll recognise you."
The woman said nothing as I walked away. I went quietly down the street, not feeling strong enough to walk quickly, afraid the people would run after me as they'd done before. But because Faithful had been put to death, it seemed everyone was satisfied. Although some of the people laughed, they didn't touch or harm me in any way.
I was just passing through the great archway of the far town gate, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. For a moment I thought my troubles were beginning again, but the boy who had stopped me looked frightened, and said in a half-whisper, "Let me come with you, Christian. I don't want to stay here any longer."
"Are you a pilgrim too?" I asked in surprise.
"I was a pilgrim once. My name is Hopeful, and I hate this place. I've stayed here too long. I want to be a loyal pilgrim again."
CHAPTER 27
By-Ends
We left the town of Vanity Fair quickly, and although Hopeful kept close to me, he seemed afraid to say anything more
When we were clear of the town, Hopeful looked round anxiously. Seeing no one was close, he said, "Some of us were sorry when they killed Faithful. He was brave, and I'm sure he was good. Many people say they won't stay in Vanity Fair much longer if such cruel things are done there. I was passing the jailor's house when they let you go. You don't mind me coming, do you?"
"Not if you really love the King," I told him. "I was thinking I'd have to go the rest of the way by myself, so I'm glad to have company."
Hopeful smiled. "I wanted you to say that. I wasn't happy, and I always meant to run away some day."
I was about to ask Hopeful how long he'd been living in Vanity Fair, when we caught up with a boy about our age walking slowly on the sunny side of the road.
"I know him," Hopeful said quietly. "He's called By-Ends. He lives in the town of Fair-Speech not far from here. I don't think we can trust him."
"Why not," I asked.
"Well, the people who live there call themselves the King's servants, and pretend to love him. But By-Ends' name means he'll agree to anything, to get what he wants. Whenever the evil prince or his servants go to his town, everyone leaves off talking about the King and behaves as if the evil prince is their ruler, so he will give them gifts."
"Why are there so many false pilgrims?" I asked, puzzled by what I kept finding. As far as I could see, there was nothing more exciting than following the Way to the King.
Hopeful shrugged. "I suppose they want an easy life. The evil prince isn't bothered about them. If any of them become pilgrims, he knows they'll soon turn back when they meet the smallest difficulty."
By-Ends walked with us for a short time. He told us he was a pilgrim, but he seemed more interested in telling us about his wealthy relations and friends in Fair-Speech than talking about the King. He certainly sounded proud of his high standing in that town. As he talked, the sun shone brightly, and the breeze felt soft and pleasant.
"It's a beautiful day," Hopeful said.
By-Ends smiled. "Just right for travelling. Of course, pilgrims from my town never start in the winter. We always choose the summer for our journeys. It's foolish to struggle against wind and rain."
"There are storms even in the summer," I said, interested to hear what By-Ends would say to that.
"Of course there are, but you needn't think I'm going to be stupid enough to travel in bad weather."
I shook my head. "I'm sure real pilgrims never mind about the weather."
That made By-Ends cross. "Let's not quarrel. If there's a storm, you can keep walking if you want to. I'll wait until it's over."
I'd read in my Book that although pilgrims could have many friends, it's not wise for them to travel closely with people who aren't the King's true servants. So I said, "I'm sorry, but we'll not make good companions for you. We'll be keeping straight on, whether it's fine or stormy."
By-Ends pushed his hands into his pockets. "In that case you might as well go on by yourselves. I was happy enough strolling along before you came, and I'm sure I don't want either of you taking me anywhere difficult."
I wondered what to do. Maybe I could help By-Ends follow the Way to the King more closely if we stayed together. At that moment we heard people shouting behind, and turned to see three boys running towards us.
"They're my friends from Fair-Speech," By-Ends said in excitement. "They're the right sort of friends to have."
"By-Ends, where are you off to?" they shouted.
"There wasn't anything special to do at home," By-Ends said when they reached us, "so I thought I'd try being a pilgrim."
"We'll go with you. Who are these two?" they asked, pointing at Hopeful and me.
"Oh, these are pilgrims too," By-Ends told them, "but not our sort. I've been telling them I only travel while the weather keeps fine, so they don't want me walking with them. Anyway, I can't see the sense of plodding over rough roads in the wind and rain. It's much better to stop until the storm is over."
The three boys looked at us and laughed. "We know your sort," one of them jeered. "You can't do this and you can't do that -- all because of your precious King!"
"He is precious," I agreed. "And, yes, I really want to fo
llow him -- because I know he loves me."
By-Ends turned to his friends. "See what I mean?" he said. "Come on, let's leave them to it. We can be a nice little group, travelling all by ourselves."
They stood together, laughing.
"It was a pity to upset By-Ends," I said to Hopeful, as we went on ahead, "but I don't see how we could help it. If we stayed with him, and there was a storm, he might talk us into turning back."
CHAPTER 28
The Silver Mine
By-Ends and his friends walked behind, talking and laughing loudly. I was soon far ahead with Hopeful, but presently the four boys ran and caught up with us, and began to ask questions.
They wanted to know if some of the things they liked doing were wrong, and likely to displease the King. I think they were hoping I wouldn't be brave enough to answer them truthfully, because they would then be able to call me a coward. But although I sometimes felt unsure of myself, I wasn't afraid to speak the truth. I was learning to love the King, and nothing these boys might do to me would make me agree with them.
I answered all their questions as well as I could, and at last they began to look ashamed of themselves and said no more. I was glad when they left us. I went on with Hopeful, while By-Ends and his three companions dropped behind again.
Soon we came to an open field where the pathway was smooth and easy. Something to the side caught our attention, and we turned to look. I noticed a dark opening in the hillside, like the mouth of a cave. A boy stood on the hill, and he called to us.
"My name is Demas. Come up and see this."
"What is it?" I asked.
"It's a silver mine, and some people are already digging in it for treasure. With a little work, you may richly provide for yourselves."
"Come on," Hopeful said, "let's go and look."
But I pulled him back. "It's not a safe place. I think Demas is a servant of the evil prince. Why else would he invite people to help themselves to silver?"
I called to Demas and asked him if the mine was dangerous.
"It's safe, unless you're careless," Demas shouted back, but even from this distance I could seem his face going red.
"We could go up and have a quick look," Hopeful said wistfully.
I pulled him away. "I'm sure I've heard about this place. Anyway, we can't get to it without leaving the path."
"Don't worry," Demas called. "I can see four others coming behind you."
