sisters continued to listen to Inbred-Sin, they became more and more troubled. And now night

coming on, a hollow whistling wind arose, which sweeping violently up the valley, benumbed all their limbs with cold; insomuch that they could not stretch themselves out separately upon the grass with any hope of comfortable repose. They therefore gathered close together, and sat up all night, bemoaning themselves; sometimes listening to Inbred-Sin, sometimes reproaching him, and often exclaiming, that he would surely bring them to destruction, if indeed he had not already fashioned them into vessels of wrath.

Now I understood that what these little pilgrims then suffered, arose from their own faint-heartedness and want of faith, as well as from their taking alarm at the prospect before them, and turning back to what they thought a better and safer spot of ground for their night's repose. For it hath been agreed among all pilgrims from the time of Abraham, who was himself a stranger and pilgrim upon earth, down to this present day, that whatever station the Lord appoints as a temporary resting-place for his servants, must needs be more safe and easy than any place of their own providing; and that it is neither lawful, nor by any means safe, to go back in the Way of Salvation, though it should be ever so short a step. Moreover, by this error of the little pilgrims in going back to seek a commodious night's lodging, they gave great advantage to the enemy, and thereby wholly deprived themselves of that night's repose. For their minds becoming greatly discomposed through sorrow for the past, as well as through fear of the future, they found it utterly impossible once to close their eyes. Neither did their comfort return with the returning day; for the prospect before them still appeared exceedingly dreary. They were almost at the mouth of the Valley of the Shadow of Death-a place of dragons, as

described by David the king; and indeed a fearful place it was. But they must needs pass through it, or give up all thoughts of the kingdom of heaven.

This valley is a place where the pilgrim is cut off from all spiritual comfort,—where his sins are set before him in order,—and where the face of the Saviour is hidden from his view. Moreover, in this place the torments of the damned are often brought before the mind of the pilgrim, while his path is haunted by appearances of the most appalling description. In this valley the day is as darkness; God regards it not from above, neither doth the light of heaven shine upon it. (Job iii. 4.) Nevertheless, they that trust in the Lord shall be brought through it-The Lord will bring them by a way that they knew not; he will lead them in paths that they have not known: he will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will he do unto them, and not forsake them. (Isaiah xlii. 16.)

Now when Inbred-Sin beheld this valley by the morning light, he was very urgent with the young pilgrims not to venture forward. But notwithstanding all the terrors they felt, the Lord afforded them such secret help as enabled them to proceed, though with much fear and trembling, and under great dejection of spirits.

Thus therefore they went on till they came to the entrance of the valley itself: and behold, as they advanced, the way became darker and more frightful. Their path also was here so extremely narrow, that they could scarcely keep their footing, but were in danger every moment of slipping off from the sound ground into the bogs and quagmires which were on either hand. And now as the darkness became greater, the air seemed to be filled with whisperings; which whisperings were so full of dreadful blasphemies, and so exceedingly terrifying, that the little pilgrims were ready to faint at

the sound. But the children could not discover the whisperer; not knowing whether it was Inbred-Sin, or some evil spirit close at their ears. Then said Playful, "Surely we shall be lost in this place, and never see the Celestial Kingdom!"

66

Nay, but," said Peace, "have we not now the promises of our Lord to support us, as heretofore? and hath he not said-I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee?" (Heb. xiii. 5.)

The little pilgrims then endeavoured to proceed, finding it as painful to stand still as to go forward. And behold, as they advanced, the place became still more dark and dismal; neither was there one cheering ray of light afforded them through the whole of that awful passage. So they began to pray aloud, making earnest supplication unto God: and behold, while they prayed, they found assistance, which enabled them to go on all that day, and indeed all that night, though scarcely knowing whither they went. Towards morning, however, they saw a faint light before them, which grew stronger as they advanced, gradually enabling them to pick their steps. Whereupon they hastened forward, till, to their unutterable joy, they found themselves quite clear of the valley. And no sooner did they see again the light of day, and begin to breathe a purer air, than they brake into loud songs of praise, magnifying and adoring the name of their great Deliverer.

Then said Humble Mind, "I have often heard of the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but never could have supposed it to be so dreadful a place."

"Let us give glory to our God," returned Peace, "who has brought us out of those doleful regions, into the way of light and salvation!"

So the little pilgrims sat down and refreshed themselves with such things as they had: after which they continued their journey.

CHAPTER XV.

ON leaving the Valley of the Shadow of Death, the children speedily reached the caves of giants Pagan and Pope. Now these giants, by reason of their age and infirmities, were incapable of doing so much mischief as they had formerly done: but they sat at the entrance of their caves, the one on this side of the road and the other on that, from whence they called to the little pilgrims as they passed, inviting them to their several places. Whereupon the children hastened away as fast as their feet could carry them. And it was well they did so; for the giants became so enraged when they found their persuasions disregarded, that they began to abuse both them and their King, and to use such language as Christian children ought not to hear.

Now I saw, in my dream, that the children had scarcely passed a bow-shot from the giants, when they entered into a grove of dark and gloomy trees, on the branches of which sat a number of owls and bats; creatures which, not being able to endure the light, kept their eyes constantly closed through the day. These are strange doctrines, doubts, errors, and vile conceits. Then said Inbred-Sin, "What are these?"

"Let them alone," replied Humble Mind, "while we pass forward; for if we disturb them, they will only be flapping about our eyes and ears.'

Nay, but," said Inbred-Sin, " I should like to know what they are."

66

They are best let alone," said Humble Mind again.

Inbred-Sin, however, could not be persuaded to let the little party go quietly on without disturbing these creatures; but he would have it, that one or other of the children should throw a stone at them. So Playful allowing herself to be overpersuaded, took up a handful of pebbles and threw them into the trees, although Humble Mind and Peace called aloud to her to forbear: whereupon such a cloud of these evil birds rose from the trees and descended upon the children, as nearly overwhelmed them. At this unexpected onset, little Peace was suddenly thrown flat upon her face; and it was as much as Humble Mind and Playful could do, to stand their ground: for the creatures kept beating upon them with their wings in every direction, uttering, at the same time, such doleful shrieks as added greatly to the children's perplexity. As to Inbred-Sin, who had been the prime cause of all this trouble, he stood by laughing heartily, and calling out first to one of the little pilgrims, then to another, in such a manner as bewildered them more and more.

I was in hopes that these obscene creatures would have immediately taken again to the trees: and so they would, no doubt, had the little pilgrims kept themselves quiet. But Inbred-Sin advised them to maintain the conflict, and to put forth all their strength in contending with and buffeting their winged enemies: by which means they were only rendered the more troublesome. Humble Mind, however, having contrived to raise little Peace from the ground, they at length made shift to disengage themselves from these unclean creatures, when they ran off with all speed, and thus escaped further harm.