urden."

"What was he like?"

"He looked like a gentleman, and talked much to me, and got me at last
to believe his words. So I came hither, but when I beheld this hill
and how it hangs over the way, I suddenly stood still lest it should
fall on my head."

"What said that gentleman to you?"

"Why, he asked me whither I was going, and if I had a wife and
children, and he bid me make speed to get rid of my burden. And I
said, 'I am going to yonder gate to be told how I may get rid of it.'

"So he said he would show me a better and a shorter way, and not so
full of difficulties as the way that you directed me. But when I came
to this place, I stopped for fear of danger, and now I know not what
to do!" So Christian stood trembling before Evangelist.

Then said Evangelist, "Give heed to the things I shall tell thee. Mr.
Worldly Wiseman sought to turn thee out of the way and to bring thee
into danger. In yonder village has no man ever yet got rid of his
burden, nor is he ever likely to lose it there. Therefore, Mr. Worldly
Wiseman and his friend are deceivers, and cannot help thee."

After this there came words and fire out of the mountain under which
Christian stood. Now Christian looked for nothing but death, and began
to cry out, saying he would he had never met Mr. Worldly Wiseman or
that he had never listened to him. Then he turned to Evangelist and
said, "Sir, what do you think? Is there any hope? May I now go back
and go up to the Wicket-gate? Or shall I be sent back from the gate
ashamed? I am sorry I have listened to this man's counsel, but may my
sins be forgiven?"

Evangelist said to him, "Thy sin is very great. Thou hast left the
good way and walked in forbidden paths. Yet will the man at the gate
receive thee, for he has good will for men. Only," said he, "take heed
that thou turn not aside again."

Then did Christian prepare to go back. And Evangelist, after he had
kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him Godspeed. So Christian
went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way. Even if
any one spoke to him, he would not venture an answer. He walked like
one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by
no means think himself safe, till again he had got into the way which
he had left to follow Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel. So in process of
time Christian got up to the gate. Now over the gate there was
written, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." He knocked
theref