Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

Legejids of the Celtic Sat/its. 327
was the vehicle to which the lofty name of chariot was
given.*
CONVERSION OF THE ROBBER CHIEF, MACALDUS.
A district adjoining the Boyne was infested by a band
of robbers, under the command of a chief named Macal-
dus. Some of these had been converted from their evil
ways by the missionaries, and their chief was very wroth
in consequence against St. Patrick. Hearing that he was
to pass along a road in their neighbourhood on a certain
day, he and some of his band took up a position by its
side, intending to murder him ; but as they caught sight
of him slowly approaching, and apparently sunk in profound
contemplation, they found themselves deprived of
all desire to injure him. Still they would not let the
opportunity pass without endeavouring to bring ridicule
on him by some stratagem. So one of them lay down by
the side of the woodland path as if dead, and Macaldus,
as the saint passed by, besought him to restore his dead
comrade to life. " I dare not intercede for him," said
the saint, and passed on. Though veiy well inclined to
offer him some insult, they could not muster resolution
for the purpose, and, when he had gone on a little way,
Macaldus ordered the man to rise. But while the poor
wretch had been feigning death, life had really deserted
his body, and consternation and remorse now seized on
his comrades. Macaldus, foremost in wickedness, was
first to feel repentance. Following St. Patrick, and
throwing himself on his knees before him, he besought
him to return and intercede for his comrade's restoration,
acknowledging the deception they had attempted, and
his own readiness to undergo the severest penance the
saint might impose.
The Apostle, retracing his steps, knelt by the dead
* Both saints left behind them hymns in honour of their great
patron. St. Sechnal composed his during St. Patrick's life, and
rather against the inclination of the humble servant of Christ.