Christiana:—It is like—I can't tell what. Just then it was far off, now it is nigh.
Great-heart:—Well, let them that have the most fear keep close to me.
Then it went out of sight of all of them.
But they had not gone far when Mercy cast a look back, and saw a great beast come fast up to them with a loud roar.
This noise made them all quail with fright save their guide, who fell back and put the rest in front of him. But when the brute saw that Great-heart meant to fight him, he drew back and was seen no more.
Now they had not left the spot long when a great mist fell on them, so that they could not see.
What shall we do? said they.
Their guide told them not to fear, but to stand still, and see what an end he would put to this too.
Then said Christiana to Mercy: Now I see what my poor dear Christian went through; I have heard much of this place. Poor man, he went here in the dead of the night, and no one with him; but who can tell what the Valley of the Shadow of Death should mean, till they come to see it? To be here fills my breast with awe!
Great-heart: It seems now as if the earth and its bars were round us. I would not boast, but I trust we shall still make our way. Come, let us pray for light to Him that can give it.