When Christian and Hopeful were traveling together, Christian had told his friend the story of Little Faith, who had foolishly lain down to sleep by the wayside and had been robbed by some wicked boys. Great Heart and the pilgrims came presently to the very place where Little Faith had slept. It was at the corner of a lane, which led out of the Way of the King into the country of the Wicked Prince.
As they drew near, they saw a man standing alone, with his sword in his hand and his armor stained with blood. Great Heart stopped and asked him what had happened. The man was tall and strong, with a brave, handsome face, and as Christiana looked at him she felt sure that she had seen him before.
“My name is Valiant,” he answered, “and I am a pilgrim. Three men came down this lane and attacked me as I was passing. They said I might take my choice of three things: either to join them in robbing the King’s pilgrims, or to go back to my own city, or to be put to death on this spot.”
“What did you say to them?” asked Great Heart.
“I told them that I had always tried to be honest, and I certainly should not become a thief now. And that, as for my own city, I should not have left it if I had been happy there, but it was a bad place, and I had forsaken it forever. Then they asked me if I wished to lose my life, and I said my life was worth too much for me to give up lightly and that they had no right to meddle with the King’s servants in such a manner. So they drew their swords, and I drew mine, and we have been fighting for nearly three hours. They have wounded me, but I think I wounded them also. And I suppose they must have heard your steps in the distance, although I did not, for they suddenly turned and fled away, and then I saw you coming.”
“That was a hard battle, three men to one,” said Great Heart.
“Yes,” replied Valiant, “but I knew I was fighting against my King’s enemies, and that gave me courage.”
“Did you not cry for help? Some of the King’s servants might have been near enough to hear you.”
“I cried to the King Himself, and I am sure He answered me. I could not have fought so long in my own strength.”
Great Heart smiled. “You are one of our King’s true servants! Let me see your sword. Ah, yes, this is from the right armory!”
“It is a good sword,” said Valiant. “No man who has such for a weapon need be afraid, if he has learned how to use it skillfully.”
“And you fought for three hours?” said Great Heart. “Were you not ready to faint with fatigue?”
“No, I fought until my sword clung to my hand, as if it were a part of my arm. But I think that made me feel stronger.”
“You have been very brave!” answered Great Heart. “You must finish your journey with us. We shall all be glad of your company.”
Mr. Honest, Mr. Despondency, and the children all joined in welcoming the brave soldier. Christiana washed his wounds, and Mercy and Phoebe helped her to bind them up. After this they brought him food and wine and made him rest for a little while. Then, as the evening was coming on, they started once more on their journey.
