In the evening, as they were going to bed, there arrived an aged monk who was wont to come in September of every year to Our Lady of Serrance.  They inquired of him concerning his journey, and he told them that on account of the floods he had come over the mountains and by the worst roads he had ever known.  On the way he had seen a very pitiful sight.  He had met a gentleman named Simontault, who, wearied by his long waiting for the river to subside, and trusting to the goodness of his horse, had tried to force a passage, and had placed all his servants round about him to break the force of the current.  But when they were in the midst of the stream, those who were the worst mounted were swept away, horses and men, down the stream, and were never seen again.  The gentleman, finding himself alone, turned his horse to go back, but before he could reach the bank his horse sank under him.  Nevertheless, God willed that this should happen so close to the bank that the gentleman was able, by dragging himself on all fours and not without swallowing a great deal of water, to scramble out on to the hard stones, though he was then so weak and weary that he could not stand upright.

By good fortune a shepherd, bringing back his sheep at even, found him seated among the stones, wet to the skin, and sad not only for himself but on account of his servants whom he had seen perish before his eyes.  The shepherd, who understood his need even better from his appearance than from his speech, took him by the hand and led him to his humble dwelling, where he kindled some faggots, and so dried him in the best way that he could.  The same evening God led thither this good monk, who showed him the road to Our Lady of Serrance assuring him that he would be better lodged there than anywhere else, and would there find an aged widow named Oisille who had been as unfortunate as himself.

When all the company heard tell of the good Lady Oisille and the gentle knight Simontault, they were exceedingly glad, and praised the Creator, who, content with the sacrifice of serving-folk, had preserved their masters and mistresses.  And more than all the rest did Parlamente give hearty praise to God, for Simontault had long been her devoted lover.

Then they made diligent inquiry concerning the road to Serrance, and although the good old man declared it to be very difficult, they were not to be debarred from attempting to proceed thither that very day.  They set forth well furnished with all that was needful, for the Abbot provided them with wine and abundant victuals,(8) and with willing companions to lead them safely over the mountains.

8 According to MS. No. 1520 (Bib.  Nat., Paris), the Abbot also furnished them with the best horses of Lavedan and good “cappes” of Beam.  The Lavedan horses were renowned for their speed and spirit, and the Bearnese cappe was a cloak provided with a hood.—­B.  J.

These they crossed more often on foot than on horseback, and after much toil and sweat came to Our Lady of Serrance.  Here the Abbot, although somewhat evilly disposed, durst not deny them lodging for fear of the Lord of Beam,(9) who, as he was aware, held them in high esteem.  Being a true hypocrite, he showed them as fair a countenance as he could, and took them to see the Lady Oisille and the gentle knight Simontault.