Christiana

by Jim Pappas

  "I'd say. He seems to be in good enough health now."

  "Aye. He is working together with his companion to bring in a new age," explained Great-heart.

  "Man! Look at all the stuff stacked behind him, Great-heart. Magic wands and mystic cards, crystal balls and brooms, precious stones, crystals, secret potions and lotions. My! And look at all that gold and jewelry heaped around his feet."

  "Aye. All instruments of power and popularity to bestow upon any who follow him," explained Great-heart.

  "Wowie!" whistled James quietly. "Would'ja check out all those brass dragons and unicorns with smoke wisping out of their noses. Is that why this valley is so smoky, Great-heart?"

  "Partly, yes," he whispered.

  "What is that smiling mask setting at his right hand?" asked Samuel.

  "That is the one he wears while seducing his victims, Samuel" answered Great-heart wryly. "But, since we are followers of the Lord of the hill, that is a mask we will not see."

  The little company then turned their attention to the second giant who wore a three-high crown and sat astride a large red dragon with ten heads. All of the heads were dozing at the moment, but now and again one would bestir itself and brush against a fellow. Then there would erupt such a snarling and snapping argument as you never saw. This would last until the rider rapped one or both heads with his staff. At first it appeared to be a common shepherds crook; but, looking closer, the pilgrims saw that its top curled round and round in a tightening spiral that ended in a serpent's head. This giant, like the other, was surrounded with fabulous wealth and had in his hand a pair of mysterious keys: one of black iron and the other of bejeweled gold.

  "And who is the other giant?" queried Joseph softly. "The one robed in purple and scarlet and sitting on that red beast?"

  "'Tis the giant Pope," answered Great-heart.

  "But wasn't he old and toothless when my father passed by? This fellow is young and strong and wears a confident smile."

  "He appears young now because his deadly wound is nearly healed, Joseph. He smiles so confidently because all the world is beginning to wander after him."

  At this moment the great slumbering beast stirred a bit and one of its crimson heads yawned, revealing a forked tongue which darted in and out betwixt long curved fangs. "Man!" whispered James. "Would'ja look at the teeth on that monster!"

  "Yeah," agreed Joseph. "Who is that dragon?"

  "'Tis the beast that will carry the giant to universal power. But, 'tis also the beast that will turn and devour him at the last day. Yea, in 'one hour will his destruction come; burning and fire and desolation'."

  "My! Who can be safe from such rich and powerful ones as these?" asked Samuel.

  "Only those who will 'follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth', Samuel. All who obey His Word and who love not their lives unto death will be safe from the wiles of these two. But now our path comes near the cave. Let us pass on in silence."

  So they carefully tippy-toed forward, silent as mice. But the path hereabouts was covered with grindy gravel, snappy twigs and crackly leaves. Thus it was, that in spite of their best efforts, someone stepped on a leaf which crackled loudly and put the sleeping giant into a slight stir. At this, everyone froze into living statues until the giant settled into a comfortable position and once again began to snore. Then, ever so cautiously, they began to move. Now in the dimness of the light, I could not tell who it was, but one of the boys, moving so carefully on tippy toes lost his balance and had to put down a foot to save himself. Twigs snapped loudly, leaves crinkled crisply and gravel made a grinding noise. So the giant awoke with a snorting start. He rubbed bleary eyes with a hairy paw and then cast a furtive glance into the cave to see if his masters might have caught him napping. Reassured that they had not, he scanned the trail to see who might be bold enough to trespass upon his grounds. Upon espying Great-heart and his band in the dimness he leaped to his feet and shouted loudly, "Halt! Who goes there?"

  At the shout from their watchman, the two giants looked up from their game with curiosity, eager to see what new victims might fall into their hands this day. Upon seeing women and tender children, the two beasts looked at each other knowingly and winked wicked winks.

  "Oh, no," groaned Great-heart. "I fear we may be hard put to it by this one."

  At the sound of Great-heart's voice, the giant's ears perked up and he called out, "Eh? Whose familiar voice do I hear? Is that wee little Great-heart again?"

  Giant Maul: "Is that wee little Great-heart again?"

  "How does he know you?" asked Matthew.

  "Maul and I have met before. He told me that if he ever caught me guiding pilgrims past this cave again, he would slay me."

  "Well, well, well," sneered Maul as he straddled the path and leaned upon his great club. "If it ain't greasy-faced little Great-heart! Trying to smuggle prisoners past our little den in the rocks again, eh, wee one?"

  "Greetings, Mr. Maul."

  "Don't go greeting me with such an air of innocence! How many times have I warned you and strictly forbidden thee to do these things?"

  "What things?"

  "What things!" roared Maul furiously. "You know what things! But no more, wimpy wretch. I will use my trusty mace to put a smashing end to your heretical thievery. En garde!"

  At this, he hefted his heavy spiked club and began to advance to the battle. Now, at the sight of one who stood nearly 8 feet tall and weighed more than any 5 men, the women and children blanched a bit and shrank back.

  "Before we fall to it, Mr. Maul," demanded Great-heart, "tell these friends of mine why it is we do battle."

  "You know why!"

  "Say the words, lad. Why do we fight?"

  "'Tis because you raid the country and rob it with the worst of thefts."

  "You are speaking in generalities," said Mr. Great-heart. "Come to particulars, man."

  "Thou practisest the craft of a kidnapper!"

  "Nay!"

  "But yea! Thou gatherest up helpless women and children and carriest them into a strange country - to the weakening of my master's kingdom."

  "Hear! Hear!" shouted those in the cave.

  "This I deny!" answered Great-heart.

  "Deny it not, slave trader!" roared Maul, pointing at Christiana's clustered family. "Those trembling ones behind thee are proof enough of thy guilt. Thief!"

  "Nay, but I am their deliverer! A servant of the God of heaven and . . . "

  "Liar!"

  " . . . and my business is to persuade sinners to come to repentance!"

  "Noooo!"

  "I am commanded to do my utmost to turn men, women and children from darkness to light - from the power of Apollyon to God!"

  "Nay! You are a kidnapper! You weaken my master's kingdom and you deserve to die!"

  "Well, if this is the ground of your quarrel, then let us fall to it."

  So the giant came forward and Mr. Great-heart sallied forth to meet him.

  "Be careful, Great-heart," urged Matthew. "He has a great club."

  "But I have a great Sword," answered he as he drew forth his glittering weapon with a swish. Then he sliced the air a couple of times and boasted, "'Tis the sword of the Spirit that can know no defeat. Christiana!"

  "Yes, Great-heart?"

  "You know what to do."

  "Aye, sir!"

  "And this time we shall not let up our prayers for even one moment!" promised Samuel. "Right, boys?"

  "Right!" chorused all.

  Now at the mention of prayer, Maul's face went white and he cast a nervous glance back at his masters. Also, Matthew noticed that one of the giants twitched involuntarily and bumped a bishop off the playing board.

  "Ready, Mr. Maul?" challenged Great-heart.

  "B . . . be . . . before we begin, I sh . . . should like to lodge a complaint," stammered he.

  "Oh?"

  "Yes. I complain that by the r . . . rules of fair combat, you have given yourself an unjust a . . . ad . . . advantage."

&nbs
p; "And how so?"

  "Because thou hast six to pray for thee whilst I have none."

  "None, do you say!" chuckled Great-heart. "Ha, ha, ha! That's a good one, Mr. Maul. Why, according to the teachings of your masters, you have a god himself to back you. Your complaint has no foundation. Therefore, let us fall to it. The bones of giant Grim and his toothless lions lie bleaching in the sun. And by the prayers of these weak ones your bones shall soon join them!"

  At the receiving of this intelligence, Maul's face blanched and, glancing back at the cave for encouragement, received only gestures indicating that he should be quick about his business. So he hitched up his leopard-skin breeches, spat on his grimy hands, and came onto Great-heart with mighty swings of his club. Now the giant's first blow went home and struck Great-heart down upon one of his knees. Upon that, the women and children cried out to God - and that with such an earnestness as allowed God to send an invisible angel. Thus was Great-heart miraculously enabled to dodge the next two whumping blows and regain his feet.

  "Wha! Me can't believe it!" roared the giant; who had always slain his opponents with one or two, or upon rare occasions, three blows. But here, after one very solid strike was a man still on his feet and beginning to thrust and parry in a manner wondrous to behold. So Maul charged forth with the fury of demons while his masters worked various incantations and uttered senseless mummeries. But all to no avail, for Great-heart behaved himself so wisely and dodged about so nimbly that the giant could do no more than chase him about and work himself into a steaming sweat. Yea, so fervent and effectual were the prayers of Christiana's band that Great-heart was enabled to deal the giant a slice to his arm, saying, "Take that, Mr. Maul!"

  "Ah! My arm! My arm!" cried Maul in stunned amazement. But, although he complained loudly, the wound was not a grievous one. Nay, it only caused Maul to gather determination and come at Great-heart with even greater fury. Thus they fought on for the space of about an hour until the breath came fuming out of the giant's nostrils like steam from a boiling cauldron.

  Then, by mutual consent, they sat down to rest. Mr. Great-heart bowed his head in prayer while Mercy wiped the sweat from his brow. The boys stood gazing in admiration and pride at the strength and courage of Great-heart. But just a glance at their mighty foe would remind them to send a heartfelt prayer winging upward in his behalf. On her part, Christiana was quick at hand to refresh him with several of Dr. Skill's wondrous pills and some sweet juice. At this, Maul cried out in righteous indignation saying, "Unfair! You take magic potions to help you endure!"

  "Not so, friend Maul," answered Great-heart. "These wondrous pills were given to us by our Lord to strengthen us in the faith. And in that faith I will quite make an end of you."

  "Cheaters! If I had such magical potions as you have, I could wipe the ground with you in a second."

  "Oh? Would you like to try some?"

  "You wouldn't dare."

  "Of course I would. Christiana! Put some of Dr. Skill's pills on that flat rock and then stand back so our friend can try a few.''

  And so Christiana cautiously stepped onto the field of battle and left four of the wondrous pills on a rock - near enough the giant so that he could reach the pills, but not so near that he could spring forth and seize her as a hostage.

  Back in the cave, the two wealthy giants were wondering what magic potion was being shared so freely. They also wondered whether there might be money to be made by the manufacture and marketing of said pills.

  Now as soon as Christiana was gotten back behind her champion (to the great relief of all), Great-heart gave the nod and Maul eagerly seized the pills. After looking at them for a moment, he tossed them greedily into his mouth, expecting to feel some great rush of power. Instead he experienced the bitterest and most biting taste one could ever imagine. His tongue burned like fire and he instantly spat out the pills and wiped his tongue on the back of his hand. "Pah! Are you trying to poison me! Villainous knave Great-heart!"

  Now the sight of the giant choking and gagging on that which seemed to them the sweetest of all refreshments was at first puzzling. Then they recalled how bitter it had been to Matthew in the days of his rebellion. Then they realized that, to the unconsecrated heart, there is nothing more bitter than the sanguine et carne de Christi. So they all fell into gales of rollicking laughter which only made the giant more furious.

  Now after his bitter snortings had somewhat subsided, the giant began to realize the seriousness of his situation. When he had first noted the younger children kneeling in earnest prayer he had scoffed and mocked them. But he had since seen his most skillful and powerful blows mysteriously turned aside and he was beginning to suspect that perhaps this would not be another simple victory ending with a feast upon tender flesh. Nay, but he rather realized that he was actually fighting for his very life (a very new and terrifying experience you can be sure). So he motioned to the giants in the cave to come to his aid. This they were most eager to do. On had already picked up a torch and chain and the other a ceremonial dagger. But God had placed an invisible watch of angels across the mouth of the cave - a wall of glory through which these two impostors of divinity could not pass and beyond which they were helpless to act. Therefore, these great giants were reduced to paper dragons and could do no more than gesture helplessly and watch from within their smoky den.

  Seeing that he was indeed alone, the desperate assassin began to draw mysterious symbols in the dirt; also to mutter his own senseless mummeries in the hope of conjuring up some ancestral spirit. But all to no avail, for the prayers of faith had put a lock on the bottomless pit and there was not one raging demon free to come aid their champion.

  "Well?" challenged Great-heart after they had both refreshed themselves. "Ready to fall to it?"

  "I wait only for thee, wee one!" snarled the giant with an outer bravado not mirrored within. Then, with an oath he spat on his hands and took a fresh grip on his nail headed mace.

  On his part, Great-heart signaled the boys to pray without ceasing and then grasped his glittering sword with a grip of steel. As he stepped confidently forward, the boys fell to their knees with hands lifted heavenward. At this horrific sight, Maul felt a surge of terror sweep through his bones and motioned to his masters in the cave to do the same for him. But this was, of course, impossible - since they would only be praying to themselves. As for Christiana and Mercy, they had begun to sing some of the psalms that king David had penned to encourage himself in his flight from king Saul.

  So they fell to it again. And my! To see Great-heart parry and thrust so deftly and with such fleetness of foot! Why, were it not a matter of life and death, I could have enjoyed watching his performance for hours.

  "This is unfair!" wheezed the giant, as the seriousness of his situation pierced deeper into the murky depths of his carnal mind.

  "Unfair, do you say?" answered Great-heart pressing his attack closer to home.

  "Yes, unfair!" whined the beast, now clearly fighting for his very life. "You have all of your mind-controlled slaves praying and chanting magical incantations on thy behalf, whilst I have none to back me. Bid them stop and I shall show thee what I can do."

  "Nay, but they shall sing praises and pray as much as they please. Does not one of your masters have great choirs and organs at his beck and call? Hah! Take that! And does not the other have crystal balls and horoscopes and a thousand spells to cast? Hah! Bid them perform now in your behalf and let us see who serves the true and living God! Hah!"

  So the giant made desperate gestures for his masters to help him. But they could do no more than helplessly shrug their shoulders and hope for the best. Finally, after wearing the giant down by dueling with him for a time, Great-heart began to apply increased pressure, and forced the giant to surrender ground. At this, the women began to sing a psalm of victory as did Miriam at the Red Sea. This caused Maul to suffer intense pain in his ears and he cried, "Aaaauugh! Stop! All this womanly whining is a pain to my ears!"

 
"Does mere godly music cause you such pain, Mr. Maul? Here, let me give you true cause for grief!"

  Then, with a full swinging blow, Great-heart fetched the giant down to the ground. "Hurrah!" shouted the boys. "He's down!"

  "Aha! shouted Great-heart, lunging forward and putting his sword to the giant's chest. "Farewell, giant Maul!"

  "Nay, wait! Wait, wait, wait. Heh heh. Uh, hold for but a moment and let me recover," begged the giant. "Take thy point from my heart and give me a sporting chance."

  "And would you do the same for me?" asked Great-heart.

  "But of course," nodded Maul with a fear-twisted, checker-toothed grin.