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.
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