When Greatheart and his charge were almost at the end of the Enchanted Ground, so we read, they perceived that a little before them was a solemn noise as of one that was much concerned.  So they went on and looked before them.  And behold, they saw, as they thought, a man upon his knees, with hands and eyes lift up, and speaking, as they thought, earnestly to one that was above.  They drew nigh, but could not tell what he said; so they went softly till he had done.  When he had done, he got up and began to run towards the Celestial City.  “So-ho, friend, let us have your company,” called out the guide.  At that the man stopped, and they came up to him.  “I know this man,” said Mr. Honest; “his name, I know, is Standfast, and he is certainly a right good pilgrim.”  Then follows a conversation between Mr. Honest and Mr. Standfast, in which some compliments and courtesies are exchanged, such as are worthy of such men, met at such a time and in such a place.  “Well, but, brother,” said Valiant-for-truth, “tell us, I pray thee, what was it that was the cause of thy being upon thy knees even now?  Was it for that some special mercy laid obligations upon thee, or how?” And then Standfast tells how as he was coming along musing with himself, Madam Bubble presented herself to him and offered him three things.  “I was both aweary and sleepy and also as poor as a howlet, and all that the wicked witch knew.  And still she followed me with her enticements.  Then I betook me, as you saw, to my knees, and with hands lift up and cries, I prayed to Him who had said that He would help.  So just as you came up the gentlewoman went her way.  Then I continued to give thanks for my great deliverance; for I verify believe she intended me no good, but rather sought to make stop of me in my journey.  What a mercy is it that I did resist her, for whither might she not have drawn me?” And then, after all this discourse, there was a mixture of joy and trembling among the pilgrims, but at last they broke out and sang: 

   “What danger is the pilgrim in,
   How many are his foes,
   How many ways there are to sin,
   No living mortal knows!”

1.  “Well, as I was coming along I was musing with myself,” said Standfast.  You understand what it is to come along musing with yourself, do you not, my brethren?  “I will muse on the work of Thy hands,” says the Psalmist.  And again, “While I was musing the fire burned.”  Well, Standfast was much given to musing, just as David was.  Each several pilgrim has his own way of occupying himself on the road; but Standfast could never get his fill just of musing.  Standfast loved solitude.  Standfast liked nothing better than to walk long stretches at a time all by himself alone.  Standfast was like the apostle when he preferred to take the twenty miles from Troas to Assos on foot and alone, rather than to round the cape on shipboard in a crowd.  “Minding himself to go afoot,” says the apostle’s companion.