Therefore, after a trial, Faithful was brought out, to do with him according to their law.  And first they scourged him, then they buffeted him, then they stoned him with stones, then they pricked him with their swords, and last of all they burned him to ashes at the stake.  Now I saw behind the people a chariot and a couple of horses waiting for Faithful, who was taken by it through the clouds, the nearest way to the Celestial City.  Then was Christian sent back to the prison, where he dwelt for a time, till he escaped and went again on his way.  But he did not go alone, for there was one whose name was Hopeful, who left the town of Vanity, and was a companion to Christian in his pilgrimage.  They went on their way till they came to a pleasant river.  Now their way lay just along the bank of the river, and Christian and his companion walked there with great delight.  They drank also of the river, and ate of the fruit that grew on the trees by its bank.  On either side of the river was also a meadow, very beautiful with lilies, and it was green all the year long.  In this meadow they lay down and slept, for here they might lie safely.  Now I beheld in my dream that they had not journeyed far, when the river and the way parted, and at this they were very sorry, yet they dare not go out of the way.

A little before them was a meadow and a stile to go over into it.  Then said Christian, “If this meadow lies along by our path, let us go over.”  He went to the stile to see, and behold, a path lay alongside of the way, on the other side of the fence.

“That is as I wish,” said Christian.  “Come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.

“But,” said Hopeful, “what if this path should lead us out of the way?”

“That is not likely,” said the other.  “Look, it goes along by the wayside.”  So Hopeful, being persuaded by Christian, went after him over the stile.  When they had gone over and had got into the path, they found it very easy for their feet.  And as they looked before them they saw a man walking as they did, and his name was Vain-confidence.  So they called after him, and asked where this way led.

He said, “To the Celestial City.”

“Look,” said Christian to Hopeful, “did I not tell you so?  You see, we are right after all.”  So they followed Vain-confidence, and he went before them.

But behold, the night came on, and it was very dark, so that they that went behind lost sight of him that went before.  Vain-confidence then went on, not seeing the way before him, and fell into a deep pit which was there.  This pit was made by the Prince of those grounds on purpose, to catch such foolish men as Vain-confidence.  He, then, fell into the pit and was dashed to pieces with his fall.  Now Christian and Hopeful heard him fall, so they called to know what was the matter, but there was none to answer, only they heard a groaning.

Then said Hopeful, “Where are we now?” But Christian was silent, for he began to be afraid that he had led Hopeful out of the way.