_How St. Patrick was Redeemed from Slavery._
And Patrick went to the place which the angel had pointed out unto him,
and he found therein no small weight of gold. Wherefore he addressed
for his ransom his hard and cruel master, and with the offering of the
yellow metal induced his mind, greedy of gold, to grant unto him his
freedom. Therefore, being by the aid of Mammon solemnly released from
his servitude, he went his way rejoicing, and hastened toward the sea,
desiring to return to his own country. But Milcho repented that he had
dismissed a servant so very necessary unto him, and, falsifying his
agreement, pursued Patrick that he might bring him back and reduce him
to his former slavery, as Pharao pursued the Hebrews. But by the
divine will, wandering both in his mind and in his course, he found not
him 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.