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But before they had time to recover from their astonishment, Peronnik cried out: 'You see how my foes will fare; now behold what I can do for my friends, and, stooping down, he laid the golden bowl against the mouth of the soldier, who sat up as well as ever. Then, jumping his horse across the trench, he entered the gate of the city, which had opened wide enough to receive him.
But the mass of feathers and glue stuck to him, and before he could pull his head out again Peronnik had drawn tight the cord, and tied it in a knot that no man could untie. Then, quickly gathering the flower that laughs, he rode off as fast as the colt could take him. The path soon led to the lake of the dragons, which he had to swim across.
'More than a hundred gentlemen have ridden past this house bent on the same errand, and not one has ever come back. 'I know that, good woman, returned the knight, 'but then they did not have, like me, instructions from the hermit of Blavet. 'And what did the hermit tell you? asked Peronnik.
For miles round the country was bare, for the enemy had cut down every tree and burnt every blade of corn; and, idiot though he might be, Peronnik was able to grasp that inside the gates men were dying of famine.
'More than a hundred gentlemen have ridden past this house bent on the same errand, and not one has ever come back. 'I know that, good woman, returned the knight, 'but then they did not have, like me, instructions from the hermit of Blavet. 'And what did the hermit tell you? asked Peronnik.
To his dying day Peronnik never knew whether these things were real or if he only imagined them, but he pulled down his knitted cap so as to cover his eyes, and trusted the colt to carry him down the right road. At last the forest was left behind, and they came out on a wide plain where the air blew fresh and strong.
The idiot rode up, and took off his cap more politely than ever, and asked if she did not wish to cross the river. 'I was waiting for you to help me do so, answered she. 'Come near, that I may get up behind you. Peronnik did as she bade him, and by the help of his arm she jumped nimbly on to the back of the colt.
At the sight of Peronnik he uttered a piercing scream, and raised his sword, but without appearing surprised the youth only lifted his cap, though he took care to remain at a little distance. 'Do not be alarmed, my prince, said Peronnik, 'I am just on my way to Kerglas, as the noble Rogear has begged me to come to him on business.
This flattered the farmer's wife so much that she gave him some butter to spread on it, and Peronnik was still eating it on the doorstep when an armed knight rode up. 'Can you tell me the way to the castle of Kerglas? asked he. 'To Kerglas? are you really going to Kerglas? cried the woman, turning pale.
When they had left the plain behind them, Peronnik and his steed found themselves in a narrow valley in which was a grove of trees, full of all sorts of sweet-smelling things roses of every colour, yellow broom, pink honeysuckle while above them all towered a wonderful scarlet pansy whose face bore a strange expression.
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