Then they went on again, and their conductor did go before them,
till they came to a place where was cast up a pit the whole breadth
of the way; and before they could be prepared to go over that, a
great mist and a darkness fell upon them so that they could not see.
Then said the pilgrims, "Alas, what now shall we do?" But their
guide made answer, "Fear not; stand still, and see what an end will
be put to this also." So they staid there, because their path was
marred. Then they also thought they did hear more apparently the
noise and rushing of the enemies; the fire also and smoke of the pit
was much easier to be discerned. Then said Christiana to Mercy, "Now
I see what my poor husband went through; I have heard much of this
place, but I never was here before now. Poor man! he went here all
alone in the night; he had night almost quite through the way; also
these fiends were busy about him, as if they would have torn him in
pieces. Many have spoke of it, but none can tell what the Valley of
the Shadow of Death should mean until they come in themselves. The
'heart knoweth its own bitterness; a stranger intermeddleth not with
its joy.' To be here is a fearful thing."
"This," said Mr. Greatheart, "is like doing business in great
waters, or like going down into the deep; this is like being in the
heart of the sea, and like going down to the bottom of the
mountains; now it seems as if the earth with its bars were about us
for ever. But let them that walk in darkness and have no light,
trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon their God. For my part,
I have often gone through this valley, and have been much harder put
to it than now I am; and yet you see I am alive. I would not boast,
for that I am not my own saviour; but I trust we shall have a good
deliverance. Come, let us pray for light to Him that can lighten our
darkness, and can rebuke not only these, but all the devils in
hell." So they cried and prayed, and God sent light and deliverance.