times, by whose power and tyranny the men whose bones, blood, ashes, etc., lay there, were cruelly put to death. But by this place Christian went without danger; whereat I somewhat wondered: but I have learnt since that Pagan has been dead many a day; and as for the other, though he be yet alive, he is, by reason of age, and also of the many shrewd brushes that he met with in his younger days, grown so crazy and stiff in his joints, that he can now do little more than sit in his cave's mouth, grinning at pilgrims as they go by, and biting his nails because he cannot come at them.
So I saw that Christian went on his way; yet, at the sight of the old man that sat at the mouth of the care, he could not tell what to think, especially because he spoke to him, though he could not go after him, saying, You will never mend till more of you be burnt. But he held his peace, and set a good face on it; and so went by, and catched no hurt. Then sang Christian,—
O world of wonders! (I can say no less,)
That I should be preserv'd in that distress
That I have met with hero! O blessed be
That hand that from it hath deliver'd me!
Dangers in darkness, devils, hell, and sin,
Did compass me while I this vale was in:
Yea, snares, and pits, and traps, and nets did lie
My path about, that worthless, silly I
Might have been catch'd, entangled, and cast down:
But since I live, let Jesus wear the crown.
Now, as Christian went on his way, he came to a little ascent, which was cast up on purpose that pilgrims might see before them. Up there, therefore, Christian went; and looking forward, he saw Faithful before him upon his journey. Then said Christian aloud, Ho, ho! so-ho! stay, and I will be your companion. At that Faithful looked behind him; to whom Christian cried, Stay, stay, till I come up to you. But Faithful answered, No; I am upon my life, and the avenger of blood is behind me.
At this Christian was somewhat moved, and, putting to
