_The wicked Man Machaldus and his Companions are converted unto the
Faith._
And in Ulydia was Magiul, a heathen, who was also called Machaldus; and
he was eminent in wickedness and notorious in cruelty; and forasmuch as
like always accordeth with like, he gathered unto himself no small
company, well practised in theft, in rapine, and in blood. And this
man placed on his own head and on his companions' certain diabolical
signs which are called Deberth; that all might behold how devoted was
their brotherhood unto the service of Satan. And it happened on a time
that the blessed Patrick was journeying with his people through the
place where lurked this band of evil-doers, waiting and watching for
any traveller on whom they might rush forth to destroy and to despoil.
And beholding the saint, they thought at first to slay him as the
seducer of their souls and the destroyer of their gods: but suddenly
their purpose being changed by the Divine will, they thought it shame
to shed the blood of a peaceful, weak, and unarmed old man; yet
counselling to prove or rather to mock the power of Christ, and the
holiness of Patrick, they placed one of their companions named Garbanus
on a couch, and though he was in perfect health they feigned him as
dead; and they covered him with a cloak, and with deriding prayers they
besought the man of God that he would provide the funeral rites, or, as
he was wont, restore unto life the dead man. But the saint, at the
revelation of the Spirit, understood what they had done, and pronounced
that these scorners had deceivingly, yet not falsely, declared of their
companion's death. Therefore disregarding their entreaties he prayed
unto God for the soul of the derider, and went on his way. And the
saint had not journeyed far, when they uncovered the cloak from their
companion; and lo! they found him not feignedly but really dead. And
they, affrighted at this fearful chance, and dreading lest the same
should happen unto themselves, followed the saint, and fell at his
feet, and acknowledged their offence, and by their contrition obtained
pardon. And they all believed in the Lord, and in his name were they
baptized. Then did the saint, at their humble entreaty, revive the
dead man; and washing him in the holy font, associated him unto them in
the faith of Christ.