Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

Legends of the Celtic Saints. 325
The King, wishing other proofs, cried, " Each throw
his book into the water, and let him in whose book the
letters remain uninjured be declared the minister of
truth ! " "I will not consent," said the Druid ; " he has
a magic power over water of which I know not the
extent." " Well, then," said the King, " let the ordeal
be by fire." " Nay, his magic also embraces the fire."
" Well," cried the King, " we are tired ; let this last trial
be made. Each priest enter a tent filled with dry boughs;
which shall then l3e set on fire." " Nay," said the Saint,
" let one be filled with the branches still green, and this
I resign to the opponent of my sacred mission."
Young Saint Benin, who attended night and day on
St. Patrick, besought his leave to enter the hut of dry
boughs, and his request was granted, he bearing the
Druid's mantle, and the Druid bearing his. Both huts
were fired at the same moment, and in the twinkling of
an eye the Druid and the green twigs full of sap were
reduced to ashes by the devouring flames, nothing being
spared but the cloak of the young saint, in whose hut
nought was consumed but the Druid's garment. This
was the last trial which the assembly would suffer, thousands,
including the queen and her daughters, openly
professing their belief in the God of Patrick.
THE BAPTISM OF AONGUS.
The Apostle passing into Munster was kindly received
by Aongus, King of Cashel, who on being duly instructed
presented himself for baptism. St. Patrick, as already
mentioned, bore with him in all his journeys the Bacal
losa, which he had received from the monks in the
Tuscan Sea. As he was administering the Sacrament,
filled with holy ardour, he raised in his left hand the staff,;
whose lower extremity was pointed with bronze, and,
seeing in spirit the arch enemy of mankind prostrate at
his feet, he forcibly struck it into the ground. He did
not stir that arm until the ceremony was over, but then,