116 COKNISH DEDICATIONS. 



Ere took the little fellow about with him wherever he went. 

 One day he was on one of his Missionary tours in a cart, from 

 which he addressed the people. A great concourse surrounded 

 the vehicle, and Ere stood in the forepart, preaching, Brendan 

 was behind. Now it chanced that a little girl, daughter of a 

 chief, seeing the urchin of ten doing nothing but peer over the 

 sides of the cart, attempted to scramble up the wheel, to play 

 with him. But Brendan got hold of the reins and, probably also 

 in play, began to lash her with them. 



This little by-game distracted the attention of the audience, 

 and Ere could make no impression on their minds or consciences. 

 Seeing the eyes of the people directed elsewhere, and hearing 

 them laughing, he turned sharply about, and saw what was going 

 on in the rear. He was mightily offended, gave Brendan a 

 scolding, and in punishment put him in the black hole for the 

 night. The boy spent his time in shouting psahns, and Ere, 

 molified, let him out. After some years spent under his master, 

 Brendan left and did not return till he was an Abbot. 



In the Life of S. Bridget is a story of her first meeting with 

 Ere. 



When they encountered, she asked him who he was and 

 whence he came. He satisfied her on these points. Then she, 

 falling into a condition of second-sight, exclaimed, "I see war 

 being waged in your country." 



" Nothing more likely," replied Ere, " My people are always 

 fighting someone else." 



Then said Bridget, "Your folk have been routed." A lad 

 in Erc's company burst out laughing, and said, " How can that 

 woman see what is going on many miles awf.y ? " 



Ere rebuked the boy, and apologised to Bridget, who signed 

 his eyes and those of the lad, and at once both were endued with 

 the same power, and saw the battle that was being waged. 



Then the youth wailed — " Two of my brothers are fallen ! " 

 and he began to sob. 



Such is the story, probably based on a lucky guess of 

 Bridget, and magnified in telling. 



