whom he sought. Foiled, therefore, in his attempt, he returned
with grief and with shame. And his sorrow was much increased, for that
not only Patrick, having obtained his freedom, had escaped, but the
gold which was the price of his freedom, on returning home, he found
not. And with this the law accords; for to him who has served six
years in slavery, the law directs that in the seventh year shall his
freedom be restored.

CHAPTER XVII.

_How he Relieved those who were Perishing of Hunger._

And Saint Patrick, guided by his angelic guide, came unto the sea, and
he there found the ship that was to carry him to Britain, and a crew of
heathens who were in the ship freely received him, and, hoisting their
sails with a favorable wind, after three days they made land. And
being come out of the ship, they found a region desert and inhabited of
none, and they began to travel over the whole country for the space of
twenty-four days; and for the want of food in that fearful and wide
solitude were they perishing of hunger. And Patrick, through their
whole journey, was preaching unto those pagans the Word of God, and
disputing with them and persuading them unto the faith of the Holy
Trinity and the kingdom of heaven; but they, even as the deaf adder
that listens not to the voice of the charmer charming wisely, closed
their ears against the Word of God until misery gave them understanding
to hear. For hunger yet more heavily assailing and oppressing them,
the greater part are said to have thus spoken: "Behold, O worshipper of
Christ! how wretched are we with want and misery, and our eyes fail us
for every need; now, therefore, implore for us thy God, whom thou
describes! and exaltest as all-powerful, that His bounty may relieve
us, and we will adore and glorify His greatness." And Saint Patrick
answered unto them: "Believe in and confess the God who giveth food
unto all flesh, and by whom, when He openeth His hand, ye shall be
satisfied from His goodness." And he prayed earnestly, and behold, as
he prayed for them, suddenly an herd of swine appeared, and they saw
wild honey, and therewith they were sufficed even to fulness, nor from
that day through their whole journey did ever a supply of food fail
unto them. And this great miracle being seen, they all gave thanks
unto God and held Saint Patrick in the highest reverence.

CHAPTER XVIII.

_Of his Fast continued for Twenty Days._

And all things succeedi