Chapter V: Enemies of the Road

Amer soon found that the journey was not so smooth as he had thought. There were stiff bits of hill to climb, and rough rocks and stones which cut and hurt his feet. He was often desperately tired and the Radiant City seemed a long way off. Also at certain times he felt to miss his old companions.

He had not met many people on the road. He had seen many a merry party walking fearlessly on a broad walk which at times seemed to be leading to the Radiant City, picking flowers and singing gaily, and he had looked somewhat longingly at them.

Several pilgrims indeed had passed him on the way in the narrow path, but they were so intent on their own journey that they seemed to have no time to give to him; and he sometimes felt lonely.

One day as he was giving way to rather sad thoughts he noticed three small people sitting together by the roadside. They looked dreary and were dressed all in grey. Forgetting the warnings of the Ambassador, Amer sat down by their side and entered into a conversation. He soon found that their company instead of comforting him depressed him greatly.

"Where are you going to?" they asked him.

"To the Radiant City," was his answer.

"You will never get there," said one of them, "you have not the air of a servant of the Great King. When we saw you, you were looking dreary and forlorn."

"I feel lonely at times," he answered.

"But I thought your Book tells you that you are never alone. You cannot be one of the Great King's soldiers if you feel lonely."

"How long have you been on your journey?" asked another.

"Two months," was his answer. "I started late I grieve to say."

"Only two months! then you have wasted some of the best years of your life; you do not suppose the King will accept anyone who has despised His message all those years, do you? How do you know that you are His soldier and accepted by Him?"

"I see no sign of you being different from others whom I meet," said a third, "you still have the look of the Dark City upon you. How do you know that you belong to Him?"

"I met the Ambassador and he told me that the King loved me," said Amer.

"The Ambassador cannot tell. He does not really know all your sins. Think of all those years in the Dark City, all the time you have forgotten the King."

"Think of how you turned round after making resolves to begin your journey," said one of them who had evidently heard his story.

"But it was for sinners that the King died," answered Amer.

"Yes, but not for sinners like you. Besides if you were one of His servants you would look more cheerful and get on faster. Why you have been two months on the way and have only got so far."

"How do you know that He has accepted you?" persisted another.

"Because He cannot break His word," said Amer, "and He has said, 'him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out;'" then turning round suddenly upon them, he asked,

"What is your name?"

"We are a family of the name of Morbid," they answered, "and we take upon ourselves the duty of warning people if we think they are deceiving themselves."

"I must not tarry here talking to you," said Amer, beginning to wish he had not taken any notice of the Morbids, "I must be continuing my journey," at which he rose from his seat.

But the little grey clad men would not leave him, they ran by his side and would take no hint from him as to his wish to be rid of their company.

For a mile or two they trotted beside him, filling his mind with all sorts of gloomy forebodings, and the more he hurried hoping to out-distance them, the quicker they ran, till at last, somewhat out of breath, they took hold of his coat and so helped themselves along. Amer began to be suspicious of them.

"Are you on your way to Radiant City?" he asked.

"Why not," they answered evasively; then as the lad would not be satisfied with their answer they added.

"Why be in such haste? You are not sure if the King will receive you at the end; and then what will become of you? Besides which we doubt if you will persevere, and in that case it would have been better never to have set out." At this Amer pulled his coat away from them violently, but it only had the effect of making them cling to his feet, so that every step was an effort. Do what he would he could not get rid of them, and the more he struggled the tighter they clung, till at last they pulled him to the ground. There he lay exhausted and miserable, and how long the little grey enemies would have had him in their clutches I do not know, if the Ambassador had not happened to pass that way and beheld his distress.

"Sir," cried Amer, "I am in great straits. The Morbids looked peaceable enough as I passed them on the road, and I only talked with them for a few minutes as I rested. But they have not left me since, and I cannot get rid of them."

"Out with your sword, man," cried the Ambassador, "have you forgotten the armour? To parley with the enemy or to argue with him is fatal. I see your sword is sheathed and idle in your hand. Out with it and do battle." Amer drew his sword, and at that the little grey people fled.

"My lad," said the Ambassador, "your fall has been caused by several mistakes. First, you were not on the watch. Secondly, you thought the enemy too small to be of much consequence. Thirdly, you forgot your sword, and your girdle is hanging loosely about you. Take my advice, lad, and never despise the enemy however small and insignificant he looks. Many a battle has been lost simply through this."

"Shall I always have you at my side to help me when I fall?" asked Amer.

"Nay, I do not know that we shall ever meet again here. I have to go elsewhere and work for the King. But what does it signify? You have the King Himself with you, you do not need the Ambassador."

"But," said Amer perplexed, "I cannot see the King and He did not come to my aid."

"You forgot to cry unto Him; He hears the faintest call of His children, but you trusted in your own strength to deliver you, and forgot Him. But He came to your aid notwithstanding, for He sent me this way to help you."

"How may I be sure that He hears and is willing to help?" asked Amer.

"You have not studied your Guide Book enough if you have not come across His promises." And at that the Ambassador opened the Book that he always carried in his hand and told Amer to do the same.

"Listen to the words of the Great King," he said:—

"'The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.'"

"'This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.' 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.'"

At these wonderful words Amer looked up with joy, and though he was sad at the thought that he might never see the Ambassador again till he met him in the Radiant City, he renewed his journey with hope and confidence.

Looking towards the East he noticed how brightly the Radiant City shone, and for a long time he kept his eyes continually upon it and often sang for very gladness of heart.

The loneliness of the way was scarcely noticed by him at this time as he was so full of the Good News that the King was ever with him.

His path took him up a very steep hill. But so great was his joy that he did not notice its steepness. About half-way up the hill, Temper met him. Amer looking him sternly in the face was struck with his ugliness.

"Come now," he said, "I will have nothing to do with you. I have in the past had too much of your company, but from this day I will have none of you. Be gone," and drawing out his sword manfully he saw, to his joy, Temper make a hasty retreat. But the enemy was not going to let him off so easily, and met him further up the hill. Amer however was on the look-out for him, so that he could not get near enough to strike the young soldier, and after awhile, growing tired of waiting for an unwatched moment, he clattered back to where he came from with a surly countenance and a threat that he would have his revenge later.

Full of triumph at his victories, Amer went forward, congratulating himself that he was growing a brave soldier, and that he was able to overcome the enemy. After a while he looked again at the Radiant City, and was rather surprised that a thin veil seemed to be between it and him.

However he did not take much notice of this but sang lustily in exultation.

He soon caught up a man who was walking slowly and carefully on the same road, picking his way to avoid loose stories and slippery places.

"Good morning, friend," cried Amer, well pleased that he had found a companion, "you are going the same way as I am."

"Yes," answered the man, "I am journeying to the Radiant City."

"How long have you been on the way?" asked Amer, wondering at the slowness and carefulness of his walk.

"I have been ten years," he answered ruefully, "and alas, have made but slow progress."

"Ten years!" cried Amer, "I have not been ten months! How is it, friend, you walk so carefully and slowly?"

"Because," he answered sadly, "I have had so many a fall through careless walking, that it has delayed me. Only last week I tripped over a loose stone and twisted my ankle, so that the next enemy that came past had the advantage over me."

"Do you use your sword?" asked Amer.

"My sword is never out of my hand," said the traveller, "had it not been for that I should have been lost on the road long ago."

"But look at me," said Amer, "I have conquered triumphantly the last enemy that attacked me, and am not now afraid. You should trust the King more and hasten forward."

"But we must obey Him as well as trust Him," answered the traveller; "He tells us in the Guide Book, 'Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.'"

"Your progress must be so slow," said Amer.

"I have learnt that 'the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong:' I have learnt this through many a downfall. I do not judge for you or for others, but for me, my only safety is to live day by day looking towards my King and pondering the path at my feet. Is it not written, 'Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.' 'Looking unto Jesus.'"

As the man spoke he lifted his eyes towards the Radiant City, and his face was suffused with the light of it.

Amer followed the direction of his glance and was startled to see, that although he had noticed the bright reflection of the City on the traveller's face, the Radiant City itself looked still dimmer to him than it had a few minutes before.

He made no mention of this however to his companion, but he glanced about him a little uneasily, for he felt conscious of an influence that he had not known before. He was not aware that one of the worst of enemies that he could meet on his journey, was at his heels, though quite invisible.

"Well," he said, "I must away. This slow pace does not suit me altogether; nor do I think it necessary." And with a wave of the hand he bounded forward.

The traveller he had left behind him, sighed.

"Ah!" he cried, "what must it be to be as good and strong as he. He cannot be so easily tempted as I am. I shall have to walk carefully all my life, or I shall grieve my dear Saviour, who has done so much for me."

Then he took out his Guide Book as he walked, and opened it.

The words that met his glance were these:—

"'My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'"

Meanwhile Amer made his way up the hill. His sword was hanging loosely by his side, and not seeing any enemy in sight, he took off his helmet and carried it in his hand. His mind was full of his victories over the enemy who had accosted him twice during his journey up the hill. As he found himself nearing the top, so full of congratulations was he, and so glad that it had not been his fate to make so slow a journey as the traveller he had passed, that he began to sing. And the words he sang were some that he had seen in the Guide Book, and which seemed appropriate to his present state.

"'In my prosperity I said, I shall never be removed: Thou Lord, of Thy goodness hast made my hill so strong.'"

He had scarcely come to an end of the verse, when at his elbow he heard a voice, and on looking round he saw a man dressed in a scarlet cloak trimmed with gold. Amer was so taken up with the grandeur of his appearance that he scarcely looked at his face, but when he did, he noticed that he was handsome, and had an aristocratic air about him, and his words, together with his appearance, took the lad's fancy at once.

"You are making a good journey," said the stranger, "I have seldom seen a pilgrim to the Radiant City wear a happier expression. You have, doubtless, had some victory that has cheered you."

"You are right," said Amer, colouring with pleasure, "I find the way easier than I had anticipated, and am not so bothered with the enemy as I expected."

"I passed a pilgrim a few miles away," said the stranger, "walking along the path with pain; evidently he has not had the same good fortune as you have, and has had many a fall. It cheers one to see a young man full of health and vigour treading the path so steadily."

"I am trusting the King," said Amer, "and have read that 'He shall give His angels charge over me that I dash not my foot against a stone.'"

"And so you are able to make quicker progress," answered his companion, "and if it were not for your heavy armour you would be quicker still. Come; I am going the same way as you, and I will gladly take charge of some of your armour for you."

"But have you none of your own to carry?" said Amer, surprised, supposing that his cloak covered it.

"No," he said, "I am a man of peace. I dropped my armour long ago and find that I can do as well without it. Come," he added, "let me help you to carry your sword."

"No," said Amer, remembering the warning of the Ambassador, "I will keep my sword, but if you are so kind as to lighten my burden by helping me to take off my shield for a bit I shall be glad. The day is hot and I have been walking so fast that it will be a comfort to get rid of it for a moment."

"Stay," he said, as they reached the summit of the hill and the stranger made as if he was about to turn to the left, "I have been given directions never to lose sight of the Radiant City or I should lose my way. I must go straight on, neither turning to the right nor to the left."

"But," said the stranger, "the straight path leads across that bare desert, and will, besides being full of enemies, take you days to cross. Now, this path which I will show you, is a short cut to the City. You will find that you meet a few enemies only, and that the way will be one long triumph from beginning to end. You are not by any means an ordinary pilgrim, but have shown yourself strong to do battle and to gain victories. You are not like that poor pilgrim who is always tripping, that you have just seen, and who needs the experience of the desert to give him the strength that you already possess. Come with me and you will never regret it. And has not your Guide Book told you that 'He shall give His angels charge over you?' Why then fear?"

So after some little hesitation Amer followed the stranger and certainly he found himself apparently wonderfully free from enemies. Nevertheless he did not feel altogether comfortable when he found that directly he determined to follow this man the Radiant City began to fade from his sight. Neither was he pleased to find that he was going down hill into a somewhat dark valley. But his companion talked away in a sprightly manner, comparing him so favourably with many other pilgrims that he had come across, that he had not the courage even to hint to him that he was beginning to fear. Darker and darker grew the way till at last, suddenly, with a shout, a band of men confronted him, and tearing his armour from him, flung him to the ground, and binding his feet together brought him to a dark cave and threw him into it.

It had all been done so quickly that Amer had been taken entirely by surprise, and now realised to his great discomfort that all his armour had been wrenched from him and that he had nothing with which to fight the enemy. There he was left, after all his bragging and pride, a prisoner in a dark cave, armourless. And then he began sorrowfully to think how it had all happened. He remembered now that he had not been altogether easy while walking by the slow pilgrim's side. He had felt a sensation as if some antagonistic influence was near. Could it have been all the time the stranger who had enticed him to his fall?

Then he remembered how he had talked about his own experiences and his victories, and had quoted texts in his own favour. He remembered, too, how he had looked down on the traveller who was walking so slowly and carefully, thinking himself to be altogether a superior soldier of the King's, and how he had deemed it quite safe to put off some of his armour for a while, although the Ambassador had expressly warned him never to part with it.

He lay and groaned. The chains hurt his feet and wrists, but the physical pain was as nothing to the mental anguish caused by the remembrance of his terrible fall, and the recollection that there was no sight of the Radiant City possible in this dark cave.

For some time he sat with his head hanging down, a picture of despair. Then he began to look around him. The first thing he saw were the following words painted in large red letters on the walls of the cave:—

"This cave is the property of the great prince Spiritual Pride," and underneath these words, were the rules to be followed by the soldiers of Spiritual Pride in the capturing of the soldiers of the King of the Radiant City. Each rule caused a further groan to escape from Amer's lips.

1. Get talking to the traveller on the road to the Radiant City in a friendly way, having prepared his mind beforehand by invisible influence.

2. Encourage him to speak of his own experience, his own attainments, either spiritual or physical.

3. If he has had any victories, remind him of his prowess and bravery.

4. Quote texts to him without their context, to prove that he should be beyond fear of the enemy.

5. Take off his mind as much as possible from the King and Radiant City and fix his thoughts on himself.

6. Make him think the importance of the armour less for one naturally so strong.

7. Help him to compare himself with other travellers, their slowness, their trips and falls, and make him congratulate himself that he is better than they are.

8. If possible, take away his sword from him without his notice.

9. Induce him to believe that there is a short cut to the Radiant City, and that instead of having to endure hardness, to one who is so far on the road, the way is smooth.

10. Above all things, take his mind off the King, so that he may not call to Him. All must be done with the greatest possible speed.

Amer groaned again and again as he read these rules.

How he envied that slow and careful traveller, whom he had once despised. He had indeed sunk in deep waters!

Then he remembered that he had his Guide Book in his pocket. Would it give him any rule as to how to act now that he was sorely smitten and enchained? In the dim light of the cave he bent over it.

The words he read were those of Jonah the prophet, who, like Amer, felt by reason of the punishment of his sin that he was cast out of God's presence.

"'I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and He heard me; out of the belly of Hell cried I, and Thou heardest my voice. For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all Thy billows and Thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of Thy sight; yet I will look again toward Thy holy temple . . . . I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever; yet hast Thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. When my heart fainted within me I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came in unto Thee, into Thine holy temple.'"

Amer remembered also the words quoted by the Ambassador, "'This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.'"

There was then this one resource left him; to cry to the King. He was indeed poor, as he had nothing at all to boast of. He had discovered that he was as nothing, that even his good efforts were tinged with sin; that his victories were in no way whatever due to his own bravery; that in fact he was a very poor soldier indeed. So he was just the one to cry to the King, for it was written in the Guide Book, that the "poor man cried" and the Lord heard him. All the rest of that day Amer cried unto the King. As the night drew near he still cried. His chains chafed his wrists and ankles and he grew faint and full of pain; but he still cried on.

It was just his one hope, for had not the Great King promised to hear the "poor man?" In an agony of tears and repentance he cried, and at midnight the answer came. Invisible hands broke off his chains, and led him out of the cave; and when to his wonderful joy he felt the fresh air beating on his forehead, he found also that his armour had been returned to him and that once more he was on the way to the Radiant City. But he had to go back a great part of the way before he caught a sight of the City. The valley which he had descended so easily in the company of Spiritual Pride was a steep one to climb up, and it was not till once more he reached the top of the hill from where he had last seen the Radiant City, that he caught sight of it again. And even then his view of it was misty, and remained so for several days.