gue and contend with
him. He said:--"If you be a servant of God cause natural fruit to grow
on this withered branch." Mochuda knew that it was to throw contempt on
the power of God that the druid had come. He blessed the branch and it
produced first living skin, then, as the druid had asked--leaves,
blossom and fruit in succession. The druid marvelled exceedingly and
went his way.

A poor man came to Mochuda on another occasion with an ill timed request
for milk, and beer along with it. Mochuda was at the time close by the
well which is known as "Mochuda's Well" at the present time; this he
blessed changing it first into milk then into beer and finally to wine.
Then he told the poor man to take away whatever quantity of each of
these liquids he required. The well remained thus till at Mochuda's
prayer it returned to its original condition again. An angel came from
heaven to Mochuda at the time and told him that the well should remain a
source of health and virtues and of marvels, and it still, like every
well originally blessed by Mochuda, possesses power of healing from
every malady.

Mochuda, now grown old and of failing powers and strength, was wearied
and worried by the incessant clamour of building operations--the
dressing of stones and timber--carried on by the multitude of monks and
artisans. He therefore by consent and counsel of the brethren retired
to a remote, lonely place situated in a glen called "Mochuda's Inch"
below the great monastery. He took with him there a few monks and built
a resplendent monastery; he remained in that place a year and six months
more leading a hermitical life. The brethren and seniors of the
community visited him (from time to time) and he gave them sound,
sweetly-reasoned advice. He received a vow from each to follow his
Rule, for he was the support of the aged, the health-giver to the weak,
the consoler of the afflicted, the hope-giver to the hopeless, the
faith-giver to the doubting, the moderator and uniter of the young.

As soon as Mochuda saw the hardship to the visiting brothers and elders
of the descent from Lismore and the ascent thereto again--knowing at the
same time that his end was approaching--he ordered himself to be carried
up to the monastery so that the monks might be saved the fatigue of the
descent to him. Then it pleased God to call to Himself His devoted
servant from the troubles of life and to render to him the reward of his
good works. He op