Of course, before a grown-up the crocodile would
pretend to be dead and stuffed, but ... the little boy knew
better. It occurred gleefully to him, too, that the plump French
damsel might prove more satisfactory as a repast to a hungry
saurian than a skinny little boy with thin legs. In the cheerful
nursery, with its fragrant peat fire (we called it "turf"), the
terrors of the evening were quickly forgotten, only to be renewed
with tenfold activity next evening, as the moment for making the
dreaded journey again approached.
The little boy had had the Pilgrim's Progress read to him on
Sundays. He envied "Christian," who not only usually enjoyed the
benefit of some reassuring companion, such as "Mr. Interpreter,"
or "Mr. Greatheart," to help him on his road, but had also been
expressly told, "Keep in the midst of the path, and no harm shall
come to thee." This was distinctly comforting, and Christian
enjoyed another conspicuous advantage. All the lions he
encountered in the course of his journey were chained up, and
could not reach him provided he adhered to the Narrow Way.
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