ers_, by S.
Baring-Gould, vol. i, pp. 78, 79.

_Cain and Abel._

The Hebrew commentators are not agreed regarding the cause of Cain's
enmity towards his brother Abel. According to one tradition, Cain and
Abel divided the whole world between them, one taking the moveable and
the other the immoveable possessions. One day Cain said to his brother:
"The earth on which thou standest is mine; therefore betake thyself to
the air." Abel rejoined: "The garment which thou dost wear is mine;
therefore take it off." From this there arose a conflict between them,
which resulted in Abel's death. Rabbi Huna teaches, however, that they
contended for a twin sister of Abel; the latter claimed her because she
was born along with him, while Cain pleaded his right of primogeniture.
After Adam's first-born had taken his brother's life, the sheep-dog of
Abel faithfully guarded his master's corpse from the attacks of beasts
and birds of prey. Adam and Eve also sat near the body of their pious
son, weeping bitterly, and not knowing how to dispose of his lifeless
clay. At length a raven, whose mate had lately died, said to itself: "I
will go and show to Adam what he must do with his son's body," and
accordingly scooped a hole in the ground and laid the dead raven
therein, and covered it with earth. This having been observed by Adam,
he likewise buried the body of Abel. For this service rendered to our
great progenitor, we are told, the Deity rewarded the raven, and no one
is allowed to injure its young: "they have food in abundance, and their
cry for rain is always heard."[62]

[62] The Muhammedan legend informs us that Cain was
afterwards slain by the blood-avenging angel. But the
Jewish traditionists say that God was at length moved by
Cain's contrition and placed on his brow a seal, which
indicated that the fratricide was fully pardoned. Adam
happened to meet him, and observing the seal on his
forehead, asked him how he had turned aside the wrath of
God. He replied: "By confession of my sin and sincere
repentance." On hearing this Adam exclaimed, beating his
breast: "Woe is me! Is the virtue of repentance so great
and I knew it not?"

_The Planting of the Vine._

When Noah planted the vine, say the Rabbis, Satan slew a sheep, a lion,
an ape, and a sow, and buried the carcases under it; and hence the four
stages from sobriety to absolute drunk