Faithful were so shamefully handled there. Indeed, it seemed that the blood of Faithful had changed the hearts of many of the people, and pilgrims were no more annoyed in the streets.
Now while Christiana and her boys, with Mercy and Greatheart, tarried here, there came a great monster out of the woods. It slew many of the people of the town, and carried away some of the children. No man dared face this monster; but every one fled when the noise of his coming was heard.
This monster was like unto no other beast in the world. Its body was like that of a dragon, and it had seven heads and ten horns.
Now when Greatheart heard of this beast, he agreed with certain good men of the place to go forth and give battle to it. For he wished to deliver the people from the paws and mouth of so dreadful a creature.
Then did he, with four companions good and true, go forth to meet the monster. You should have seen them with their armor and their well-made weapons.
When the fierce creature first beheld them, it lifted up its heads with great disdain. It would fain have made way with them had they not boldly stood their ground. But, being sturdy men at arms, they so be-
