Christiana

by Jim Pappas

  CHAPTER XXIV

  The Delectable Mountains

  Well, there came at last a time when the pilgrims felt in their bones that it was time to be put upon their way. So their friends in the faith and those of the Faire who had been blessed by their ministries came to bid them farewell. Many a mother showed round blankets and clothing that Mercy and her team had sewn for the children. Many a young man, formerly destined to work the streets, proudly spoke of his new ability to read and earn an honest living by the sweat of his brow. So after many a song and prayer, the pilgrim band set out.

  Now the band was much increased by several little ones who had been born to the young parents. Feeble-mind and Ready-to-halt were especially grateful for their company, for with but a little extra effort they could just about match pace with the toddlers.

  Now as they traveled on, accompanied by hundreds from the Faire, they came to a curious monument erected at the far edge of the town. After studying it for a few moments, Matthew asked, "Great-heart, for what was this monument raised?"

  •

  A moment of silence at the monument to Faithful

  "'Tis a stone left here by Hopeful and your father in memory of Faithful."

  "Ah! A brave man, he," said Matthew.

  "Aye," added Christiana. "'Tis on cause of his courage that we have passed through this city with so little pain."

  "Should we not observe a moment of silence in his memory?" suggested James.

  And so they doffed their hats, as did their companions from Vanity Faire. As I gazed over the crowd, I saw that some took off their hats with a blush of shame. Now while I cannot be certain, I suspect that these men were such as had abused Faithful in the cage, or who had laid stripes on his back, or touched the torch to the straw at his feet, or perhaps carried wood to feed the fire.

  When the pilgrims turned to go, I saw unashamed tears in many an eye of those who remained. I saw too that many held in their hands the same words of truth that had first sent Christian off on his journey. While I have not seen any fruit yet, I trust that Mr. Contrite and friends will water the seeds that have been sown. So Christiana and her band parted from the thankful ones of Vanity Faire and continued their journey.

  By and by they passed by the silver mine at the Hill Lucre where (as I mentioned in my earlier work), I believe By-ends and his greedy companions met their covetous end. Farther on, they came to the salty monument of Lot's wife who bore still her silent witness against the sin of turning back. Not far behind her, the pilgrims could see the charred ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah.

  After more days and many long miles, they came to the Delectable Mountains with their flowing stream of crystal clear water. On both sides of this river are trees whose fruit is good for eating and whose leaves renew the strength of those who partake. Now here, in these Delectable Mountains there were shelters and places wherein little ones might play in total safety. So the children chased white lambs across green meadows or splashed with the ducks in the shallows of the river. The older boys and their fathers hiked upstream a ways to leap from high rocks and swim in the deeper pools of the river.

  Here too was One assigned to watch over the wee ones with tender care. It was His joy to gather young children into His arms and tell them stories of the homeland. He taught the young mothers how to be faithful under-shepherds and told their husbands how to gently lead those that were with young.

  Now Christiana quickly perceived who this kind Shepherd was and admonished her daughters to commit their little ones to His care and keeping. Said she, "If any of your little ones ever go astray, 'tis this Man who will bring them in again. If there are any wounds or broken bones, 'tis this Shepherd who will bind them up and feed them with milk and honey. Here, my daughters, you may rest in full assurance and safety - for your babes are watched over by He who cares for them much more than thee."

  Now the weather in these realms is warm all year round and the accommodations are commodious. So they stayed in that place until all were strengthened and refreshed. But 'ere long, all were ready to be off again. Being anxious reach the land where the lame would leap and the halt would run, even the weak and feeble were eager to begin. And so they did.

  CHAPTER XXV

  Giant Despair

  Now it was not many days until they came to that section of the road filled with potholes, sharp stones, and overgrown both sides with briars, thistles, and pokey bushes. Moreover, it was hot and dusty and the water in their bottles had grown hot. The weak ones fell and bruised a hip or two and the parents had to hold the hands of their little ones and move on ever so gently. After a time, they came to By-path Meadow and the stile over which Christian and Hopeful had passed in search of an easier way. Now they would have stayed in the way and passed right on except that Ready-to-halt called out, saying, "Atten-hut! Halt! Everybody halt!" Then, leaning on his crutches and gazing wistfully at the soft green grass just over the fence, he said thankfully, "Praise God!"

  Now since Great-heart was normally the one to call for starts and stops, what can he think but that there is some injury or sickness among them? So he hurries him back all bothered and concerned - only to see everyone still on their feet and in apparent good health. So he asks, "Pray tell, friends, why are we stopped?"

  "Why, indeed!" rejoined Ready-to-halt. "The road we travel is full of potholes and pain."

  "'Tis only for a season," replied Great-heart.

  "Easy to say for those on two good legs. But look here! God has set before us an easier way."

  "Aye," agreed Feeble-mind. "Why, He has even built this sturdy stile to help us weaklings get over. Bless Him."

  "Bless Him!" exclaimed Great-heart in stunned amazement. "Haven't you heard about Christian and Hopeful who traveled this way before us?"

  "Sure. But what's that got to do with us?"

  Then said Old-honest with a wry smile, "Well, the old saying seems to be true again, eh, Great-heart?"

  "Which one?"

  "The one that says, 'Those who do not learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them'."

  "Aye," agreed Great-heart with a weary sigh. "So it seems."

  "Mistakes?" queried Ready-to-halt. "What mistakes?"

  "Sir," answered Great-heart firmly. "This meadow that you are so eager to traverse will lead to certain destruction."

  "What! How can anything so smooth and green be other than a balm in Gilead?"

  "Look over here, friend. See this pillar erected next to the stile?"

  "Where? Oh! Now I see it. What does it say?"

  "Read it to all of us and see."

  "All right. Let me find my spectacles. Ah, here we go. A hem.

  'Over this stile is the way to Doubting Castle,

  which is kept by Giant Despair,

  who despiseth the King of the Celestial Country,

  and seeks to destroy His holy pilgrims'.

  "But Mr. Great-heart," insisted he, "looking over the fence I see nothing but a pleasant green meadow that will ease our journey. Do you mean to tell me that we are to trust these mossy overgrown words more than our senses?"

  "Yes," replied Great-heart. "That is exactly what I mean to tell you."

  "Well, words are cheap. Who wrote them anyway?"

  "A famous pilgrim named Christian."

  "Christiana's husband!"

  "Aye."

  "Oh. Then I suppose they must be true. But certain it is that it goes against the sight of my eyes. To be sure. To be sure."

  "Because you are looking too close at hand, friend. Look out into yonder gloomy forest. What do you see?"

  So Ready-to-halt peels off his spectacles, scrunches up his hairy eyebrows, and peers across the flowery meadow into the misty forests that surround the kingdom of Doubt. "I don't see nothin'," says he.

  "Look again."

  "I see it!" exclaimed one of the children excitedly.

  "See what?" asked Ready-to-halt as he strained his old eyes to peer through the murky vapors. "Ah! Aha! Now I see
what you're getting at. I see a castle! And it flies a black flag."

  Castle of Giant Despair

  "A black flag with the skull and cross-bones on it," added Great-heart. "'Tis the Castle of Doubt spoken of on this pillar. And it belongs to a Giant named Despair."

  "So?"

  "What?" exclaimed Great-heart. "Have you not heard of him?"

  "Well, sure I have," he answered. "But he is there and we are here. And just before us, as far as the eye can see, there runs this pleasant green meadow. Anyone can see that it runs parallel to this path - not to yonder gray castle."

  "But it is not the narrow way, friend."

  "Well, that I can certainly see," he conceded. "But is our King so particular about little things? When there are paths side by side that both seem headed to the same destination, must we always choose His way?"

  "Aye. For anything other than strict obedience will gradually lead you into the forest of confusion. From there you are sure to come into the land of Doubt where you would be fair game for the giant."

  "Hmmm. I never would have guessed it," admitted Ready-to-halt. "My! Right glad I am to have you as my guide."

  "As am I," added Mr. Feeble-mind. "For certainly, it looks wonderfully inviting to me."

  "Mr. Honest!" called Great-heart. "Front and center!"

  "Yes, sir!" snapped the old warrior, crisping to attention. "At your service, sir."

  "Matthew, Samuel, Joseph, James! Attention!"

  "Yes, sir!" answered they.

  Now at these militarish movements, Christiana began to feel a queasiness in her stomach at which she took Mercy's arm and leaned against her for support.

  "Men," questioned Great-heart, "what do you think of crossing this stile and smashing yonder castle?"

  "Thy word is our command," replied the faithful old gent, accompanied by assenting nods from the others.

  "May I raise an objection?" queried Feeble-mind.

  "Certainly," answered Great-heart. "What might it be?"

  "But a moment ago, sir," began the narrow-eyed, stoop-shouldered old man, "you forbade us to cross this stile to ease our journey. But now you propose to cross this stile yourself. Why is it unlawful for us but not for you?"

  "We do not propose to follow this meadow in all its convoluted meanderings until we lose our way, dear Mr. Feeble-mind. Rather, we intend to slash our way straight through yonder forest right up to the castle. There we will engage this Despair fellow in battle and give not back till we have stuck his scar-faced head upon a stake. We further propose to pull down this bastion of evil and set the prisoners free. Since we are not crossing this stile for our own ease, but to gain ground for our Master, I trust that what I propose is lawful. What think ye, my boys?"

  "Hear! Hear!" cried Old-honest.

  "Hip, hip, hurrah!" shouted the boys (which struck further fear into the hearts of mother and wives).

  "Besides, dear Feeble," added Great-heart. "I have been commissioned to resist sin, to overcome evil, and to fight the good fight of faith. Therefore I ask, with whom better to fight this good fight, if not with the likes of Giant Despair - that monster who would seduce weak pilgrims off the way and then devour them?"

  "I suppose you must be right," admitted the confused old man. "God be with thee."

  "Then let us be gone. Ready, men?"

  "Must you all be off to war?" asked Christiana sadly.

  "Have no fear, Mother," encouraged Matthew. "We go to avenge our father's tortures."

  "Moreover," added Samuel, "we shall make the way safer for our children by stopping up the tunnels that lead out to yonder universities."

  "And you need not fear for our safety, Mum," said James, "for we carry with us the key of promise."

  "Therefore shall we come off as more than conquerors," concluded Joseph.

  "Bravely spoken and soon bravely done," announce Great-heart proudly. "Mr. Feeble-mind, Mr. Ready-to-halt! Atten-hut!!

  "Yes, sir?" questioned the men as they came to a nervous attention.

  "'Tis your calling to stay here with the baggage and to defend these women and children," commanded Great-heart.

  "Me?" asked Feeble-mind incredulously.

  "Us?" queried Ready-to-halt in amazement.

  "Yes, you," commanded Great-heart. "You are now standing in 'the way' and if you keep strictly to it, there shall no harm come to any of you. But take heed that none of you step one foot upon forbidden ground lest you step out from under God's care. And now, my good soldiers, forward!"

  So Mr. Great-heart, Old-honest, and the sons of Christian vaulted the fence, crossed By-path Meadow, and were soon hacking their way through the forest of confusion. Now they had not gone far ere they found themselves shrouded in the fogs and mists common to that dreary land. On every hand was gray-green moss, droplet filled bushes and drippy branches. So it was not long before they all had water dripping from their noses and trickling down their backs. The ground too was gooshy and their boots were soon waterlogged. Yet still, in spite of all the gloom and doom they pressed on their hacking, slashing way.

  After a soggy, boggy hour or two, they at last found themselves facing the great drawbridge that leads across the moat of Doubting Castle. Above the great yard-gate they read the dreadful words that had struck such terror into the hearts of Christian and Hopeful: "Abandon hope, all ye that enter here."

  "Vile Monster," muttered Matthew.

  "Speaking of monsters," said Joseph nervously, "take a peek into the moat."

  Leaning over and looking down, they saw the water roiling with a school of snapping piranhas swarming below them in hungry circles. From the other shore, they saw v-shaped ripples coming off the toothy snouts of stealthily approaching crocodiles who had been attracted by the vibrations of their footfalls.

  "Wanna go for a swim, Matthew?" teased James with a merry grin.

  "After you, lad," said he.

  "Shall we knock?" asked Samuel, being ever eager to get down to business.

  "Aye!" answered Great-heart. "And that with such a noise as has never been heard in these parts. Let us serve clear notice that we come not on a friendly visit but rather on business for the King."

  And so they fetched themselves a stout log for a battering ram, crossed over the moat, and began their attack upon the great iron-clad yard gate. And that they did with such strength as to send thunderous echoes bouncing to and fro across the courtyard and down into the dungeons of Doubt.

  Now since it was day, the Giant and his wife, Diffidence, lay a- sleeping (for, if you remember from my previous account, Despair can not much endure the light and therefore sleeps in the day). Diffidence, the giant's warty-faced, beak-nosed witch of a wife, was first to stir. She was awakened from her drug-induced slumbers by the rumbling echoes from Great-heart's battering ram.

  She started up with a jolt, her heart racing in a mysterious fright. "Despair? Despair! Wake up!" she shouted into his one good ear while jabbing his ribs with her pointy elbow.

  "Oof! Huh? Wha? Whus goin' on?" mumbled Despair as he put up his fists in defense. "Put up yer dukes and fight like a man, you!"

  "Did you hear knocking?"

  "Knocking!" muttered he sleepily. "Hmmph. Now who on earth could be knocking? Go back to sleep, eh?" And with that, he rolled over, pulled his sooty comforter over his head and tried to resume his ghoulish dreams.

  "Nay!" she insisted, snatching off his comforter and kicking him a sound one on his bottom. "Open thy ear and listen, you blundering oaf! There is someone pounding at thy gate!"

  "Knocking!" he exclaimed from the foggy depths of his hangover. "Pounding? At my gate?" Then he sat up as best he could, and smacked his head with the heel of his hairy paw in an attempt to knock the cobwebs from his brain. "Did you say knocking?"

  "Yes, I said knocking! I could swear that someone was trying to beat down your great, outer gate."

  "Hmmph!" he snorted. "That gate has never been opened by mortal man."

  "It was once!" reminded she.

>   "Bah! Only once - when those two tricksters used that magic key to molest me lock and blind me eyes! But that was . . ."

  "Despair!" shouted Great-heart.

  "Huh? Wha?" said Despair, suddenly snapped out of his stupor by the great thundering thumps at his outer gate.

  "Despair!"

  "Wha? Who? Where? How?" cried he in a sudden wave of fear.