Page:John Bunyan's Dream Story.djvu/185

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
DOUBTING CASTLE
181

fruit. And they would have tarried there long, had not duty urged them to go onward.

Therefore, leaving the pleasant river, they came in due time to By-path Meadow; and there they saw the stile over which Christian and Hopeful went when they were taken by Giant Despair.

There they sat down, and consulted what they had best do.

"I have a mind," said Greatheart, "to go over and demolish the castle of old Giant Despair. He may have some pilgrims shut up in his dungeon, and I should be glad to set them free."

"That is a good thought, Mr. Greatheart," said Matthew. "I will go with you."

But some of the others were timid and made excuses. "I very much doubt if we ought to leave the King's highway even though it be to destroy Doubting Castle," said one.

"We had better go on and leave well enough alone," said another.

Then Greatheart stood up and drew his sword. "My master has commanded me to fight the good fight," said he; "and with whom should I fight this good fight if not with Giant Despair?"