Christian had not been allowed to leave the house where he had been so kindly entertained without provision for the journey that lay before him. As good-byes were said Charity gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine and a bunch of raisins.
His way next led through the Valley of Humiliation, and before he had gone far he saw a bitter enemy crossing a field to meet him. The name of this enemy was Apollyon. Poor Christian trembled from head to foot as he saw what a number of darts he carried, for he felt sure that many if not all of them would be aimed at him, but he wisely made up his mind to go on and meet the foe and also to stand his ground. Apollyon, on meeting him, looked at him with contempt and asked him where he came from.
Christian replied that he came from the City of Destruction and was on his way to Mount Zion. "By your answer," said Apollyon, "I know that you are one of my subjects, for all that country is mine; I am its prince and god. How was it that you dared to run away from your king?"
"It is true," Christian said, "that once I was your subject, but I found your service very hard and your wages such as no man could live upon, Tor the wages of sin is death."
"There is no prince," Apollyon replied, "who will thus lightly lose his subjects. I am not willing to lose you, but since you complain of my service and my wages, if you will return at once, I promise that the best the country can afford will be yours."
Christian's reply was, "But I have given myself to another, even to the King of kings. How can I in fairness leave His service?"
"Ah," said Apollyon, "you have changed bad for worse, but I have known some who have professed to be His servants who after a time have given Him the slip and returned to me. Do the same and all will be well."
ther by threats or promises induce Christian to turn back he threw darts at him. They fell thick and fast, and the pilgrim was wounded in his head, hand and foot. He lost a little blood, but Apollyon had no sooner left him than a hand holding some leaves from the tree of life was stretched out to him. As soon as he applied them to his wounds the blood ceased to flow, the wounds healed, and he went on his way refreshed and comforted.
As he left the Valley of Humiliation, he saw that his way must lie through a strange and lonely land, called the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Its darkness and gloom were so great that none but Christians were able to pass through it safely. They and they only saw light amid the darkness, and many while passing through had been heard to sing such words as, "I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me" (Psa. 23:44Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)).
Though Christian often sighed and trembled, at last through the mercy of the Lord he got safely through with a very sweet song of praise making music in his heart. He had not gone far before he saw another pilgrim whose name was Faithful only a few yards ahead of himself. He called out to him, "Wait for me. I will bear you company, and we will travel together to the Celestial City," for they had not reached the end of their journey. Christian, who was more swift of foot than Faithful, not only overtook his fellow pilgrim, but got before him. He was very much pleased with himself, and said, "Now the last shall be first." But they had not gone far before Christian, who paid no attention to which way he was going, stumbled and fell, and he was quite unable to rise until Faithful, seeing what had happened, went to his help, and he was very soon on his feet again.
Christian, though humbled and somewhat shaken by his fall, felt that God in His tender mercy had sent him a friend and brother in Christ who would help and encourage him in his way, for Faithful like himself was a native of the City of Destruction. As they conversed together, Christian asked him among other questions if he had seen anything of their old neighbor Pliable.
"Yes," said Faithful, "I remember quite well that he set out with you and talked of going to Mount Zion, but falling into the Slough of Despond he lost heart and courage and turned back. Now he does not like to have anyone speak of it or indeed to know that he ever set out to be a pilgrim."
"Were the neighbors glad to see him? Did they give him a right hearty welcome?" asked Christian.
"The less that is said about that the better," Faithful replied. "As far as I know, they laughed at him and mocked him, saying it was a pity, as he made a start, that he did not go on and see what the end would be. I met him only a day or two before I left the city, but as soon as he saw me he crossed the road and turned down a side street."