When Sir Bors left Camelot on his quest he met a holy man riding on an
ass, and Sir Bors saluted him. Then the good man knew him to be one of
the Knights who were in quest of the Holy Graal. 'What are you?' said
he, and Sir Bors answered, 'I am a Knight that fain would be
counselled in the quest of the Graal, for he shall have much earthly
worship that brings it to an end.' 'That is true,' said the good man,
'for he will be the best Knight in the world, but know well that there
shall none attain it but by holiness and by confession of sin.' So
they rode together till they came to the hermitage, and the good man
led Sir Bors into the chapel, where he made confession of his sins,
and they ate bread and drank water together. 'Now,' said the hermit,
'I pray you that you eat none other till you sit at the table where
the Holy Graal shall be.' 'Sir,' answered Sir Bors, 'I agree thereto,
but how know you that I shall sit there?' 'That know I,' said the holy
man, 'but there will be but few of your fellows with you. Also instead
of a shirt you shall wear this garment until you have achieved your
quest,' and Sir Bors took off his clothes, and put on instead a
scarlet coat. Then the good man questioned him, and marvelled to find
him pure in life, and he armed him and bade him go. After this Sir
Bors rode through many lands, and had many adventures, and 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]