by Chris Wright
Mercy tells me she's not sorry to see him go. "I don't want any special friends who don't serve the King," she tells me. "Do you remember my sister Bountiful?"
I do. It's a sad story and one that I never like to ask Mercy about. Bountiful got married, and it seemed such a happy marriage at first.
"She married someone like Brisk," Mercy says. "She was a pilgrim, and wanted to work for the King. But her husband wanted her to do nothing except look after him. I think he was jealous of the help she gave other people. She told him she was helping others before she married, and she was going to carry on doing it."
I remember hearing about it at the time, but it was quite a few years ago and I probably never knew the full details. "What happened," I ask, for Mercy seems willing to talk about it now.
"Her husband threw her out of the house and told her to go and live with the poor, if she loved them so much."
This shocks me. "I thought he was a pilgrim too," I say.
"He said he was," Mercy says. "That's why my sister married him. But I think he was only pretending, so he could marry her."
"Then you did well to turn Brisk away when you did," I say, looking at Mercy. She seems to have grown up a lot since we started out, and I can see why any young man would want her as a friend. "There are probably a lot of men like that around."
Mercy laughs. "You'd better warn your brothers," she says. "They'll probably meet a lot of girls who pretend to be pilgrims too."
I'm worried about Matthew. Every morning now when he gets up he says his head aches, and he often feels so sick and faint he finds it hard to stand.
Today he can hardly lift his head from his pillow when I go to wake him. I run back to my room to finish dressing, so I can ask Prudence what to do. Prudence sends at once for a doctor, an old man called Dr Skill. He arrives quickly, and I take him upstairs to see my brother.
Matthew is lying in bed, and Joseph is sitting by him, for the two are fond of each other.
"What has he been eating?" Dr Skill asks.
"Nothing but wholesome food," I tell him.
The doctor shakes his head. "Your brother has been eating some sort of poison, and if the medicine I give him won't take effect, he will die,"
I feel so worried that I'm unable to speak, but Samuel cries out, "It must be the berries. They were hanging over the wall after we went through the Wicket Gate, and Matthew ate some. Remember, Christiana, you made us throw them away?"
I remember now. "I told Matthew not to eat them," I say, "but he wouldn't listen to me, and kept putting them into his mouth."
"Ah," Dr Skill says, "I knew he had eaten something poisonous. That fruit is worse than any other, for it grows in the evil prince's own garden. Your brother won't be the first pilgrim to die from eating it."
I feel tears running down my cheeks, for Matthew is lying on the bed looking so white, and I'm afraid the doctor's words will come true.
"What can I do for him?" I ask. "How could I have been so stupid as to let him eat those berries!"
When Dr Skill sees how frightened I am, he speaks gently. "Don't be too unhappy, Christiana. I have some of the King's medicine with me. If Matthew didn't eat too much fruit, it will do him good."
CHAPTER 62
Dr Skill
Dr Skill prepares some pills and tries to get Matthew to swallow them. But Matthew refuses, even though he's groaning with stomach pain and saying he feels as though he's being pulled to pieces inside.
"Come on," the doctor says, "you have to take them."
Still Matthew refuses.
"Matthew, do as the doctor tells you," I say firmly.
"I'll be sick," Matthew says. "Then they'll all come up again."
Maybe he has a point, so I pick up one of the pills and touch it on my tongue, warily. It tastes slightly of honey, but has no strong flavour. "Matthew," I say firmly, "if you love me, and if you love your brothers, and if you love Mercy and love your own life, take your medicine!"
I know I sound rather strict, but it works. Matthew sits up and swallows the pills. Almost immediately he breaks out in a sweat and has to rush to the bathroom. He comes back rather embarrassed, but he's already looking better, and walks around the bedroom holding onto my arm, and smiling.
Matthew is so excited to be feeling better, that he goes off to tell Prudence, Piety and Charity how he's been healed.
"I'd like to keep some of those pills with me," I tell Dr Skill, and he's willing to prepare some and tell me how and when to use them. It seems they will heal almost any sickness in a true pilgrim.
I decide it was probably a good thing for Matthew that he suffered so much, for he now seems more ready to listen to my advice. He even agrees to let Prudence teach him, and comes to her as my other brothers did, asking her to explain things he doesn't understand about the King and his Son.
The time passes pleasantly, and toward the end of the month Joseph reminds me that we want Greatheart to guide us on our way to the Celestial City.
"He was so good to us, and he's so brave," my brother says. "How can we find out if Interpreter will let him come?"
"I will write to him," I say.
So I write a letter and give it to Watchful, who sends it with a messenger to the house of Interpreter. In the evening the messenger returns, saying that Interpreter is sending Greatheart to guide us farther on our journey.
Prudence and her sisters tell us they're sorry to let us leave, and once again they show us the treasures for which the House Beautiful is so famous. There's a small golden anchor on a neck chain in one of the rooms, and every time I see it, I admire it.
"You can have it for yourself, if you like," Piety tells me. "Wear it, and when you look at it, don't forget what it means."
"What does it mean?" I ask, for I've never liked to ask before.
"You know the purpose of an anchor, I'm sure," Prudence says. "When it is securely on the sea bed a strong anchor holds the ship safely away from the rocks, even though the waves may be high and the wind roaring all around them. So if you love the King, trust him to help you no matter what is happening in your life, and that trust will be like an anchor for you. Even when you're in the greatest danger or difficulty, you need never be afraid."
Prudence fastens the chain round my neck, and I say, "Thank you ever so much. I'm so glad to have it, for it will help me remember all you've taught us."
We hear a knock at the door, and Watchful sends word that Greatheart has arrived. Joseph and James run to cling on to him.
"I have brought you a gift," Greatheart tells me, and I'm pleased to see he's still wearing his armour. He shows me a large pack containing fruit and some bottles that he explains are from Interpreter. "It will be easy for me to carry," he says, "and you'll need it whenever we're not able to find anywhere to stop and get food."
CHAPTER 63
The Dark Valley
I'm pleased at Interpreter's kindness in sending not only Greatheart, but some food for our journey. I thank Prudence and her sisters for making our stay at the House Beautiful so pleasant. Even though it's early, we are ready to leave.
"We'll walk to the bottom of the hill with you," Prudence tells us. "The path can be slippery and rather dangerous, and we want to make sure you all get down safely."
As we pass through the gates I say goodbye to Watchful, and ask him if any other pilgrims have gone by recently.
Watchful says, "No, but a man stayed with me in my lodge last night, and he told me that some pilgrims have recently been attacked and robbed by the evil prince's servants on the road ahead."
We all stop, looking around as though the thieves are hiding in the bushes.
"There's no need to worry," Watchful assures us. "Our King's soldiers heard about it and caught the men, and now they're in prison."
Mercy has turned pale, but Matthew touches her hand and whispers, "You needn't be afraid, Mercy. We have Greatheart with us."
I'm so pleased to see Matthew not only well, but more caring than
he has been. I can hear something singing in the trees nearby.
"Through all my life Thy favour is
So frankly show'd to me,
That in Thy house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be."
I listen carefully, puzzled. Another voice now answers the first.
"For why? The Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure."
I ask Prudence what it is that's singing. "They're our country birds," she says. "They especially like to sing in the spring, when the flowers appear and the sun shines warmly. Then they sing all day long. I often go out to hear them, and sometimes they live in our house as tame birds. They're good company when we're feeling sad. They make the woods and lonely places pleasant to be in."
The singing has stopped now, and I'm glad I was close enough to hear it. We begin to descend the steep path that leads into the Dark Valley. It's slippery, as Prudence warned us it would be, but we reach the valley in safety.
Piety tells us, "Soon you will pass the place where Christian fought the Destroyer. But if he comes out to meet you, you mustn't be alarmed. Greatheart will take good care of you, and the King is always ready to help."
We follow Greatheart down the valley, as the three sisters return to the House Beautiful. This is a lovely spot, and sweet-scented lilies cover the ground. This certainly can't be the Dark Valley.
"I can't think the evil prince or his servants ever come here," I tell Greatheart. "It's all so peaceful."
"This part of the valley is the favourite of our King's Son," Greatheart says. "He lived here for a time. But you mustn't expect to find anywhere the evil prince and his servants don't come -- not until you're in the King's City. But soon we will be entering the part that is called the Dark Valley, and you will see why it got its name."
Presently James points to some sheep, with lambs skipping happily around them. A boy is taking care of the sheep, but he's among the trees and hasn't seen us, although we can see him. He's singing to himself.
"He's poor," Greatheart explains, "yet he's happy. He works hard and knows his Master is pleased with him. The King has given him these sheep to care for, and he looks for nothing more than to work faithfully for his Master."
Greatheart now warns us that we are entering the Dark Valley. He tells us Christian had to pass through it alone. It's now early in the afternoon, and Greatheart says he hopes he'll be able to guide us safely through the worst part before dark.
I imagine it's always gloomy in the Dark Valley, for the high rocks on each side lean towards each other, stopping the sunlight reaching the path below. Greatheart is looking closely at us. Mercy holds my hand, and her lips are trembling, so I point to the anchor I'm wearing. There could well be a stormy time ahead, and I think she realises why I'm showing it to her. Our trust in the King and his Son will be like an anchor keeping us in safety.
Greatheart smiles. "I can see you're both thinking of the King," he says.
Joseph and James don't look nearly as calm as I feel, and I'm sorry for them. We hear strange noises among the rocks, and the noises, and the dimness of the light, seem to frighten them more than the sight of the dangerous pathway. Suddenly the ground shakes under our feet, and we hear a loud hissing noise like angry snakes.
"Are we nearly through yet?" James asks.
"Not yet," is all Greatheart says. Maybe he doesn't want to worry us by telling us what lies ahead.
Matthew asks Joseph to walk with him, and James keeps close to Samuel. Both older brothers are obviously doing their best to cheer and encourage the younger two.
"Follow me carefully," Greatheart tells us, "and keep alert, or you'll miss your footing. Remember, if you trust in the King and his Son, the evil prince and his servants can do nothing to harm you."
James suddenly trips, and Samuel catches him with his hands. Greatheart steps back, and stooping down, lifts James up.
I look anxiously into James' face. I'm afraid someone has hurt him.
"He's only tired," Greatheart tells me. "If you give him some of Dr Skill's medicine he'll soon revive."
I manage to persuade James to swallow three pills with a little water, and he opens his eyes and says he's already feeling better.
"I was frightened," he says. "I thought I saw some horrible things. Will the King be angry with me?"
"No," Greatheart tells him, "he knows what this valley is like."
"Where did the Destroyer meet Christian?" James asks. "Are we going to go past the place?"
"We're coming to it soon," Greatheart says. "Apollyon, the Destroyer, is the King's enemy, and he often meets pilgrims in this part of the Dark Valley. It's called Forgetful Green."
"Why?" Samuel asks. He's certainly the one who wants to know everything.
Before Greatheart can answer, a terrifying creature rushes out from behind a rock. I know it's Apollyon, the Destroyer. Greatheart raises his sword and orders him to leave us alone -- in the King's name. The sword seems to have special powers from the King. Suddenly the Destroyer is gone.
Greatheart is looking around, keeping an eye open for more danger. "There's a lesson to learn here," he says. "The King says that if we resist evil in his name, it will flee from us."
We all feel relieved to hear that. Samuel asks how the Dark Valley got its name. I look into the gloom and think the answer is obvious. But Greatheart tells us more than the obvious.
"It got its name because when pilgrims have been staying at the House Beautiful, they often forget that the Way of the King is not all smooth and easy," he explains. "They begin to think that the dangers are past, and suddenly they have a bad fall on their way down the hill. Then they enter into a time of darkness."
"Did Christian fall?" Mercy asks.
Greatheart nods. "He did, several times, and that's when the Destroyer attacks pilgrims. But Christian loved the King and wouldn't let the Destroyer persuade him to turn round and give up his journey."
We reach the place where the battle took place, and Greatheart tells the story over again. All the boys are now asking questions, and I'm pleased to know they love to hear of Christian's bravery, and how the King helped him to overcome his enemy.
Greatheart shows us the rock where Christian rested after the battle, and Joseph shouts that he can see some dried blood on the stones. He wonders if it's Christian's. I don't like to look, but feel happier when Greatheart tells us that Christian dreamt that the King's Son was here with him, rubbing his wounds with healing leaves. When he woke up, he was healed.
CHAPTER 64
Another Lion
The Dark Valley is a terrible place. I keep imagining I can see strange shapes among the shadows. But Greatheart keeps going steadily forward, and we follow him closely until he tells us we're about halfway through.
Mercy turns round and shouts that she can see a lion coming after us. It roars as it draws near. Greatheart orders us to go ahead while he waits for the savage beast. When the creature realises that its enemy is prepared to fight instead of running away, it crouches down on the path and comes no closer.
Greatheart goes back into the lead. Suddenly he stops, holding up his hand. "Stay where you are," he calls. "The path has broken away. If we go on, we may fall into a deep pit."
Matthew makes his way cautiously to the front. "I think I can get past," he says.
"And what about your brothers?" Greatheart asks.
I'm about to say it might be possible for all of us to continue, when a thick mist rises up around us so can't even see each other.
"This is dreadful," I cry out. "Now what are we going to do?"
"We must call to the King's Son," Greatheart says, sounding bold. "He's here, although we can't see him, and he won't leave us. That pit may not be real. The evil prince has power in this valley to make us imagine dangers that are not really there. Stand still, everybody, until the mist clears away."
/> We keep hold of each other's hands, calling aloud to the King's Son to deliver us.
"It must have been worse for poor Christian than it is for us," I tell Greatheart. "He was travelling through here alone."
"Not alone," Greatheart says. "The King's Son was with him. I have brought many pilgrims along this path, and sometimes the danger has been far greater than this. The King's Son has always helped us, and we've been brought out safely."
I find Greatheart's words comforting and we wait patiently, although the strange noises and the sound of footsteps hurrying up and down are terrifying in the thick mist. But no one comes near to hurt us, and after a time a light begins to break through the heavy mist. It's clear enough now to see the ground.
"It is as I suspected," Greatheart tells us. "The pathway wasn't broken at all, and there is no deep pit. The evil prince was trying to deceive us."
We're so thankful, and gladly go on our way. But a horrible smell begins to fill the valley making us choke, so that the air is hardly fit to breathe.
"This is a bad part of our pilgrimage," Mercy sighs. "I loved it at the Wicket Gate, and at Interpreter's house and at the House Beautiful."
"I know," Samuel says, sounding surprisingly wise, "but think how much worse it would be to live here all the time, as we might be forced to do if we served the evil prince. Perhaps the King wants us to pass through this dark place so we can appreciate the light and other good things better, and then want to help other people who are in darkness."
"You are very observant, Samuel" Greatheart says. "That is exactly the reason."
"Does that mean we're getting to the end of the valley?" Joseph asks hopefully. "My feet are tired with walking on this narrow path."
"We're almost through," Greatheart promises, "but now you must be even more careful, because we're coming to the traps."
CHAPTER 65
Traps
"Traps?" Joseph and James ask together. "What traps?"
Greatheart looks serious. "When Christian passed this way, he found the ground near the end of the Dark Valley was covered with traps and snares on the ground to catch pilgrims."
Greatheart leads us along slowly, but I find it difficult to walk on this dangerous path without falling, or getting my feet tangled in wires. We see a man lying by the side of the path.
