The duke and his companions, the noble pilgrims, were sailing into the jaws of death and would face many tribulations on the face of the ocean, but—as I shall now tell you—many of their sins were washed away.

It is said that on the twelfth day they came very close to land, where the warriors saw a high mountain in the sea, and their ship made for it. This place was called Magnet Rock. As you may imagine, they were very pleased to come in sight of it. Then they saw the masts of many ships, as thick as a forest. The bold warriors were delighted by this and believed that all their troubles would now be over. They imagined that they would find cities and people in that country, just as they had in Grippia. They were still a good way off, however. As I have said, they saw the masts towering up over the ships, but they were white as snow, bleached by the wind and weather, stripped and bare.

The warriors did not hesitate but sailed cheerfully onward on these unknown seas, the good men thinking that all would be well. But then one of the crew climbed to the crow's nest while the current was pulling them strongly toward the harbor. The sailor was shocked when he recognized the mountain, and in fear and horror he called down to the warriors on the ship. “Most noble fighters, prepare yourselves for eternity! We are lost, and we shall have to stay here forever. That great rock in front of us is in the Sea of No Return, and unless God saves us, we shall all die here. We are being driven onto the rocks, and I have heard tales about them. In true penitence you should turn to God and repent in your hearts of any wrongs you have done. Warriors, I shall tell you about the power of these rocks and what they can do. Any ship that sails within thirty miles of them will quickly be pulled toward them—yes, it is true. If it has iron rivets, a ship will be pulled there helplessly. We saw the ships there beneath the dark mountain, and there we shall die of starvation. There is nothing we can do—the same thing has happened to all those who have sailed here.