Great Heart had now quite a large party of pilgrims under his care. Good Mr. Honest took charge of Mr. Despondency. And Much-Afraid, although she was older than any of the other girls, was very glad of their pleasant company.
The Shepherds, who lived upon the Delectable Mountains, saw the pilgrims coming toward their tents and were very pleased to find that Great Heart was with them. All the King’s servants knew and loved him, for he was such a gentle and faithful guide.
It was a clear, bright night, but as Despondency and his daughter were so weak after their long imprisonment, Great Heart thought it wise to remain with the Shepherds until the next day.
These kind men welcomed the whole party to their tents, gave them food, and prepared beds for them, so that in the morning they rose up refreshed and strengthen.
The shepherds were always very glad when any of the king’s pilgrims came to stay with them, and they liked to take their visitors to see the view of the Celestial City and the many strange places upon the mountains.
Christiana and her friends enjoyed their walk upon the hills very much, and when they had seen all the wonderful sights that had been shown to Christian and Hopeful, there was still a little time to spare before they continued their journey. So instead of turning back to the tents, the Shepherds led the pilgrims to a very beautiful hill called Mount Innocence.
Not far from where they stood, a man was walking upon the green slope. He was clothed in white, and his garments had not a single spot or stain upon them. But while the pilgrims watched him, two other men came across the mountain, and then they saw the man’s white robes, they filled their hands with earth and began to pelt him with it.
“Oh,” cried the children, “they will spoil his beautiful clothes!”
“No,” said the shepherds. “The King will prevent that.”
And, as the man came nearer, the pilgrims saw that the dirt, although it struck his clothes, fell from them without leaving the slightest stain.
“There is a lesson in that!” said Mr. Honest.
“Yes,” said Great Heart, “a very good lesson for all pilgrims. When wicked people speak evil of them, they need not be unhappy, for the King will not allow false words to do them any real harm.”
“And you may remember also,” said the Shepherds, “that it is only by our own fault that the clothes that the King gives us can be stained. None of our enemies have any power to spoil them.”
After this the Shepherds took their visitors to Mount Charity. A good man lived there whose work was to provide garments for some of the King’s servants who were very poor indeed. He showed the pilgrims a wonderful roll of cloth that the King had given him to use. Every day he cut from it as many garments as were needed, and yet the cloth never came to an end.
“It is very strange!” said Christiana, as she watched the man at his work.
“The King’s power and goodness are so wonderful!” said the Shepherds. “Those who really try to help His poor servants may be sure that their stores will never fail.”