Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/277

Rh of his outside; just like those who, not knowing that precious stones are covered over with a homely crust, when they have found one, because they know not what they have found, cast it away again, as men do a common stone.

Well, said Gaius, now you here, and since, as I know, Mr. Great-heart is good at his weapons, if you please, after we have refreshed ourselves, we will wall; into the fields, to see if we can do any good. About a mile from hence there is one Slay-good, a giant, that does much annoy the King's highway in these parts; and I know where about his haunt is. He is master of a number of thieves: 'twould be well if we could clear these parts of him. So they consented and went—Mr. Great-heart with his sword, helmet, and shield; and the rest with spears and stares.

When they were some to the place where he was, they found him with one Feeble-mind in his hand, whom his servants had brought unto him, having taken him in the way. Now the giant was rifling him, with a purpose after that to pick his bones; for he was of the nature of flesh-eaters.

Well, so soon as he saw Mr. Great-heart and his friends at the mouth of his cave, with their weapons, he demanded what they wanted.

Great. We want thee; for we are come to revenge the quarrels of the many pilgrims that thou hast slain, when thou hast dragged them out of the King's highway: wherefore come out of thy cave. So he armed himself and came out, and to battle they went, and fought for above an hour, and then stood still to take wind.

Then said the giant, Why are you here on my ground?

Great. To revenge the blood of pilgrims, as I told thee before. So they went to it again, and the giant made Mr Great-heart give back; but he came up again, and in the greatness of his mind he let fly with such stoutness at the giant's head and sides, that he made him let his weapon fall out of his hand. So he smote him, and slew him, and cut off