Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/204

200 companion made a fresh essay to go past them; but they letted them in their way.

And they said, We intend no hurt to your lives: 'tis another thing we would have.

Ay, quoth Christiana, you would have us body and soul, for I know 'tis for that you are come; but we Will die rather upon the spot, than to suffer ourselves to be brought into such snares as shall hazard our wellbeing hereafter. And with that they both shrieked out, and cried, Murder! murder! and so put themselves under those laws that are provided for the protection of women. (Deut. xxii. 25–27.) But the men still made their approach upon them, with design to prevail against them. They therefore cried out again.

Now they being, as I said, not far from the gate in at which they came, their voice was heard from whence they were, thither; wherefore some of the house came out, and knowing that it was Christiana's tongue, they made haste to her relief. But by that they were got within sight of them, the women were in a very great scuffle; the children also stood crying by. Then did he that came in for their relief call out to the ruffians, saying, What is that thing you do? Would you make my Lord's people to transgress? He also attempted to take them; but they did make their escape over the wall into the garden of the man to Whom the great dog belonged, so the dog became their protector. This Reliever then came up to the women, and asked them how they did. So they answered, We thank thy Prince, pretty well, only we have been somewhat affrighted; we thank thee also for that thou camest in to our help, otherwise we had been overcome.

Reliever. So after a few more words, this Reliever said as felloweth: I marvelled much when you were entertained at the gate above, seeing ye knew that ye were but weak women, that you petitioned not the Lord for a conductor; then might