e others were still more angry, and said they would
put these men to death.

Therefore, after a trial, Faithful was brought out, to do with him
according to their law. And first they scourged him, then they
buffeted him, then they stoned him with stones, then they pricked him
with their swords, and last of all they burned him to ashes at the
stake. Now I saw behind the people a chariot and a couple of horses
waiting for Faithful, who was taken by it through the clouds, the
nearest way to the Celestial City. Then was Christian sent back to the
prison, where he dwelt for a time, till he escaped and went again on
his way. But he did not go alone, for there was one whose name was
Hopeful, who left the town of Vanity, and was a companion to Christian
in his pilgrimage. They went on their way till they came to a
pleasant river. Now their way lay just along the bank of the river,
and Christian and his companion walked there with great delight. They
drank also of the river, and ate of the fruit that grew on the trees
by its bank. On either side of the river was also a meadow, very
beautiful with lilies, and it was green all the year long. In this
meadow they lay down and slept, for here they might lie safely. Now I
beheld in my dream that they had not journeyed far, when the river and
the way parted, and at this they were very sorry, yet they dare not go
out of the way.

A little before them was a meadow and a stile to go over into it. Then
said Christian, "If this meadow lies along by our path, let us go
over." He went to the stile to see, and behold, a path lay alongside
of the way, on the other side of the fence.

"That is as I wish," said Christian. "Come, good Hopeful, and let us
go over.

"But," said Hopeful, "what if this path should lead us out of the
way?"

"That is not likely," said the other. "Look, it goes along by the
wayside." So Hopeful, being persuaded by Christian, went after him
over the stile. When they had gone over and had got into the path,
they found it very easy for their feet. And as they looked before them
they saw a man walking as they did, and his name was Vain-confidence.
So they called after him, and asked where this way led.

He said, "To the Celestial City."

"Look," said Christian to Hopeful, "did I not tell you so? You see, we
are right after all." So they followed Vain-confidence, and he went
before them.

But behold, the night came on, and it was very dark, so that they that
went