Beyond the fair, they rested two days beside a river. The children washed stones in the shallows. Ready-to-halt sat on level ground and told them how birds found insects along the bank. Christiana was hanging clothes on a line when Chris suddenly stood.
“The sign is still there,” he said.
Beside a low fence stood the warning he and Hopeful had left. Wind and rain had faded the writing, but the picture of the door and lock was still clear. Beyond it the meadow was green. A traveler on the road was looking toward it.
Great-heart went to warn him, and Honest followed. Chris wanted to go. His mother did not seize his arm. She asked Great-heart whether the boys were needed. He asked them to stay on the proper road and describe the castle and its doors.
At the word “castle,” Feeble-mind stepped back. Hopeful found paper. Together, he and Chris drew the places where they had been imprisoned. They did not know how many people were inside now or whether the giant had changed the paths. They left the uncertain places blank instead of inventing a complete-looking map.
That evening the road guards brought news. A man called Despondency and his grown daughter, Much-afraid, had disappeared. They had last been seen beside this meadow. Calls had also been heard from Doubting Castle at night.
Christiana looked toward the dark shape beyond the hill. She remembered the nights her son had spent on the cold floor. She wanted to rush there at once, as though doing something great enough would finally make up for those nights.
She rose, then sat again and confessed that thought to the Lord. They should help because someone was suffering there, not use another person’s danger to buy peace for herself.
After consulting the guards, Great-heart decided that grown-ups would go the following morning to investigate and attempt a rescue. Christiana said she was willing to help. She also asked what part she could properly take.
Her husband and Honest would go with Great-heart. Christiana and Mercy would remain at the guarded riverside lodging with the children. They would prepare warm water, food, and quiet rooms for anyone rescued. Guards would carry messages, and other helpers would go with the party.
Chris took out the key called Promise and gave it to Great-heart. “It opened three doors there,” he said.
Great-heart promised to keep it safe. Christiana saw her son’s hand slowly open. She gave him a lamp she had just cleaned. Together they went to prepare the rooms as the meadow outside grew dark.