nce from the man of God. And
the son did even as his father commanded, and stood, the son of light,
among these sons of darkness. And Saint Patrick, warned of heaven,
knew these ravens under the wings of the dove, these wolves under the
fleece of the lamb; but well he knew that as the Ethiop cannot change
his skin, no, not though washed with fine linen, so could not these
magicians quit their inborn wickedness, though clothed in white
raiment. Therefore with the sign of the cross he fortified himself,
and opposed it to the enemies of Christ; and fire marvellously
descending from heaven consumed the evil-doers, and left Conallus
standing among them, unhurt of the flame, as he was guiltless of their
sin. Thus was the cross of Christ a protection to the faithful even
for their salvation, and to the idolaters a punishment even for their
perdition. And afterward the saint impressed on the earth the sign of
the cross, and a clear and salubrious fountain issued forth. And on
the spot where this miracle was worked by the cross did he build a
church, which even unto this day is called the Cross of Saint Patrick.

CHAPTER CXXVI.

_Another Magician is in like manner Consumed._

And at another time another magician, but in wickedness not differing,
bound himself by a sacrilegious oath before the heathens which were
gathered together unto evil deeds, that he would destroy the saint.
But ere the accursed crime could be attempted, the saint, raising his
left hand, imposed in the name of the Lord his malediction on the
malefactor; and he was consumed by fire from heaven, and even like the
other nine he perished. Then the people which were collected to behold
the death of the saint, fearing that a like destruction might descend
on themselves, escaped by flight, or rather by the sufferance of the
divine mercy.

CHAPTER CXXVII.

_A Grove is cursed by the Saint._

And Patrick was on a certain day speeding his journey for the ministry
of his wonted preaching, when the wheel of the chariot wherein he sat
was broken in twain. And his attendants hastened unto a neighboring
grove, wherein was seen wood that seemed fit unto their purpose; and
the wood is hewed down, and smoothed, and shaped to repair the wheel.
Nevertheless they long time labored with useless toil, for still did
the wheel appear broken as before; and ever and anon as they endeavored
to repair it, yet still, as touched of heaven, again did it fall in
t