d was often
sore tempted, but remembered the words of the holy man and kept his
life clean of wrong. And once he had by mischance almost slain his own
brother, but a voice cried, 'Flee, Bors, and touch him not,' and he
hearkened and stayed his hand. And there fell between them a fiery
cloud, which burned up both their shields, and they two fell to the
earth in a great swoon; but when they awakened out of it Bors saw that
his brother had no harm. With that the voice spoke to him saying,
'Bors, go hence and bear your brother fellowship no longer; but take
your way to the sea, where Sir Percivale abides till you come.' Then
Sir Bors prayed his brother to forgive him all he had unknowingly
done, and rode straight to the sea. On the shore he found a vessel
covered with white samite, and as soon as he stepped in the vessel it
set sail so fast it might have been flying, and Sir Bors lay down and
slept till it was day. When he waked he saw a Knight lying in the
midst of the ship, all armed save for his helm, and he knew him for
Sir Percivale, and welcomed him with great joy; and they told each
other of their adventures and of their temptations, and had great
happiness in each other's company. 'We lack nothing but Galahad, the
good Knight,' Sir Percivale said.

[Illustration: HOW SIR BORS WAS SAVED FROM KILLING HIS BROTHER]

IX

ADVENTURE OF SIR GALAHAD

Sir Galahad rested one evening at a hermitage. And while he was
resting, there came a gentlewoman and asked leave of the hermit to
speak with Sir Galahad, and would not be denied, though she was told
he was weary and asleep. Then the hermit waked Sir Galahad and bade
him rise, as a gentlewoman had great need of him, so Sir Galahad rose
and asked her what she wished. 'Galahad,' said she, 'I will that you
arm yourself, and mount your horse and follow me, and I will show you
the highest adventure that ever any Knight saw.' And Sir Galahad bade
her go, and he would follow wherever she led. In three days they
reached the sea, where they found the ship where Sir Bors and Sir
Percivale were lying. And the lady bade him leave his horse behind and
said she would leave hers also, but their saddles and bridles they
would take on board the ship. This they did, and were received with
great joy by the two Knights; then the sails were spread, and the ship
was driven before the wind at a marvellous pace till they reached the
land of Logris, the entrance to which lies between two great