gate let thee
through, for he has love and good will for all men; but take heed that
thou turn not to the right hand or to the left.

Then did Christian make a move to go back, and Evangelist gave him a
kiss and one smile, and bade him God speed.

So he went on with haste, nor did he speak on the road; and could by no
means feel safe till he was in the path which he had left. In time, he
got up to the gate. And as he saw by the words which he read on it,
that those who would knock could go in, he gave two or three knocks, and
said: May I go in here?

At last there came a great man to the gate, whose name was Good-will,
and he said: Who is there; whence come you, and what would you have?

Christian.--I come from The City of Destruction with a load of Sins on
my back; but I am on my way to Mount Zion, that I may be free from the
wrath to come; and as I have been told that my way is through this gate,
I would know, Sir, if you will let me in?

Good-will.--With all my heart.

So he flung back the gate. But just as Christian went in, he gave him a
pull.

Then said Christian: What means that? Good-will told him that a short
way from this gate there was a strong fort, of which Beelzebub was the
chief, and that from thence he and the rest that dwelt there shot darts
at those that came up to the gate to try if they could kill them ere
they got in.

Then said Christian: I come in with joy and with fear. So when he had
gone in, the man at the gate said: Who sent you here?

Christian.--Evangelist bade me come and knock (as I did); and he said
that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do.

Good-will.--The door is thrown back wide for you to come in, and no man
can shut it.

Christian.--Now I seem to reap the good of all the risks I have met with
on the way.

Good-will.--But how is it that no one comes with you?

Christian.--None of my friends saw that there was cause of fear, as I
did.

Good-will.--Did they know of your flight?

Christian.--Yes, my wife and young ones saw me go, and I heard their
cries as they ran out to try and stop me. Some of my friends, too, would
have had me come home, but I put my hands to my ears, and so came on my
way.

Good-will.--But did none of them come out to beg of you to go back?

Christian.--Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable came, but when they found
that I would not yield, Obstinate went home, but Pliable came with me as
far as the Slough of Despond.

Good-will.--Why did he not