remained in that place thereof. Then the
thirteen that remained sent for a hermit of the forest and so made
themselves be held up and baptized. After that, they took the bodies of
the misbelievers and made cast them into a water that is called the
River of Hell. This water runneth into the sea, so say many that have
seen it, and there where it spendeth itself in the sea is it most foul
and most horrible, so that scarce may ship pass that is not wrecked.

XIV.

Josephus maketh record that the hermit that baptized the thirteen had
the name of Denis, and that the castle was named the Castle of the
Trial. They lived within there until the New Law was assured and
believed in throughout all the kingdoms, and a right good life led they
and a holy. Nor never might none enter with them thereinto but was
slain and crushed save he firmly believed in God. When the thirteen
that were baptized in the castle issued forth thereof they scattered
themselves on every side among strange forests, and made hermitages and
buildings, and put their bodies to penance for the false law they had
maintained and to win the love of the Saviour of the World.

XV.

Perceval, as you may hear, was soldier of Our Lord, and well did God
show him how He loved his knighthood, for the Good Knight had much pain
and sore travail and pleased Him greatly. He was come one day to the
house of King Hermit that much desired to see him, and made much joy of
him when he saw him, and rejoiced greatly of his courage. Perceval
relateth to him all the greater adventures that have befallen him at
many times and in many places sithence that he departed from him, and
King Hermit much marvelleth him of many.

"Uncle," saith Perceval, "I marvel me much of an adventure that befell
me at the outlet of a forest; for I saw a little white beast that I
found in the launde of the forest, and twelve hounds had she in her
belly, that bayed aloud and quested within her. At last they issued
forth of her and slew her beside the cross that was at the outlet of
the forest, but they might not eat of her flesh. A knight and a
damsel, whereof one was at one end of the launde and the other at the
other, came thither and took the flesh and the blood, and set them in
two vessels of gold. And the hounds that were born of her fled away
into the forest."

"Fair nephew," saith the Hermit, "I know well that God loveth you sith
that such things appear to you, for His valour and yours