THE RIVER OF DREAD
NOW I saw in my dream that they went on together until they came in sight of the gate. I further saw that between them and the gate there was a river and there was no bridge to go over; and the river was very deep.
When the pilgrims came to this river, they were much disheartened; but the men who were with them said, "You must go through, or you cannot get to the gate."
Christian was greatly cast down by this answer, and began to wish that he might draw back and escape. But Hopeful took him by the hand and cheered him with comforting words. Then as they came to the water's edge, they asked the men how deep the river was.
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