Then Pliable said to his friend, Is this the bliss of which you
have told me all this while? If we have such ill speed when we
first set out, what may we look for twixt this and the end of our
way? And with that he got out of the mire on that side of the
slough which was next to his own house; then off he went, and
Christian saw him no more.

So Christian was left to strive in the Slough of Despond as well
as he could; yet his aim was to reach that side of the slough
that was next The Wicket Gate, which at last he did, but he could
not get out for the load that was on his back; till I saw in my
dream that a man came to him whose name was Help.

What do you do here? said Help.

Christian.--I was bid to go this way by Evangelist, who told me
to pass up to yon gate, that I might flee from the wrath to come,
and on my way to it I fell in here.

Help.--But why did you not look for the steps?

Christian.--Fear came so hard on me that I fled the next way and
fell in.

Help.--Give me your hand.

So he gave him his hand, and he drew him out, and set him on firm
ground, and bade him go on his way.

Then in my dream I went up to Help and said to him, Sir, since