there received the main force of the blow, so that it only made his master bleed. Another voice from among the knights again called to Thomas à Becket to fly; but, with his blood running down his face, and his hands clasped, and his head bent, he commended himself to God, and stood firm. Then they cruelly killed him close to the altar of St. Bennet, and his body fell upon the pavement, which was dirtied with his blood and brains.

It is an awful thing to think of the murdered mortal, who had so showered his curses about, lying, all disfigured, in the church, where a few lamps here and there were but red specks on a pall of darkness; and to think of the guilty knights riding away on horseback, looking over their shoulders at the dim cathedral, and remembering what they had left inside.

THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.
(JOHN BUNYAN.)

Now I beheld in my dream that they [Christian and Hopeful] had not journeyed

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far, but the river and the way for a time parted, at which they were not a little sorry: yet they durst not go out of the way. Now the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender, because of the travel: so the souls of the pilgrims were much discouraged because of the way. Wherefore still, as they went on, they wished for a better way. Now, a little before them, there was on the left hand of the road a meadow, and a stile to go over into it, and that meadow is called By-path meadow. Then said Christian to his fellow, 'If this meadow lieth along by our way-side, let us go over into it.' Then he went to the stile to see, and behold a path lay along by the way on the other side of the fence. "Tis according to my wish,' said Christian: 'here is the easiest going: come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.' Hopeful. But how if this path should lead us out of the way?'

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Christian. That is not likely,' said the other. 'Look, doth it not go along by the way-side?' So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow, went after him over the stile. When they were gone over, and were got into the path, they found it very easy for their feet and withal they, looking before them,

espied a man walking in the same way as they did, and his name was Vain-Confidence: so they called after him, and asked him whither that way led. led. He said, to the Celestial Gate. 'Look,' said Christian, ' did I not tell you so? by this you may see we are right.' So they followed, and he went before them. But behold, the night came on, and it grew very dark so that they that were behind lost sight of him that went before.

He therefore that went before (Vain-Confidence by name), not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep pit, which was on purpose there made by the prince of those grounds, to catch vain-glorious fools withal, and was dashed to pieces with his fall.

Now Christian and his fellow heard him fall: so they called to know the matter: but there was none to answer, only they heard a groaning. Then said Hopeful, 'Where are we now?' Then was his fellow silent, as mistrusting that he had led him out of the way and now it began to rain and thunder and lighten, in a most dreadful manner, and the water rose amain.

Then Hopeful groaned within himself, saying, 'Oh that I had kept on my way!'

Christian. Who could have thought that this path should have led us out of the way?'

Hopeful. I was afraid on 't at the very first, and therefore gave you that gentle caution. I would have spoken plainly, but that you are older than I.'

Christian. Good brother, be not offended: I am sorry I have brought thee out of the way, and that I have put thee in such imminent danger: pray, my brother, forgive me: I did not do it of an evil intent.'

Hopeful. Be comforted, my brother, for I forgive thee: and believe, too, that this shall be for our good.'

Christian. I am glad I have with me a merciful brother but we must not stand here: let us try to go back again.'

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Hopeful. But, good brother, let me go before.'

Christian. No, if you please, let me go first, that, if there be any danger, I may be first therein because by my means we are both gone out of the way.'

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'No,' said Hopeful, 'you shall not go first: for your mind being troubled, may lead you out of the way again.' Then for their en

couragement, they heard the voice of one saying, 'Let thine heart be towards the highway; even the way that thou wentest: turn again.' But by that time the waters were greatly risen, by reason of which the way of going back was very dangerous. (Then I thought that it is easier going out of the way when we are in, than going in when we are out.) Yet they adventured to go back: but it was so dark, and the flood so high, that in their going back they had like to have been drowned nine or ten times.

Neither could they, with all the skill they had, get again to the stile that night. Wherefore at last, lighting under a little shelter, they sat down there until daybreak: but being weary they fell asleep. Now there was, not far from where they lay, a castle, called Doubting Castle, the owner whereof was Giant Despair: and it was in his grounds they now were sleeping. Wherefore he getting up in the morning early, and walking up and down in the fields, caught Christian and Hopeful asleep in his grounds. Then with a grim and surly voice, he bid them awake, and asked them whence they were, and what they did in his grounds. They told him they were