East Lothian and the Bass, by Dr. J. Stuart. 89 



another small cave at Dodlaw, near Wooler. A cave in the 

 cliffs at Auldhame has been associated with St. Baldred in 

 popular belief. St. Ninian had his cave in the face of a lofty 

 rock on the shores of Galloway. St. Kiaran's cave, near 

 Campbelton, still contains his well, and has a rude cross cut 

 on the wall. St. Columba had a cave at Lochcaolisport, in 

 which an altar and font, with a cross incised on the rock, 

 yet remain to attest its religious use. The biographer of St. 

 Kentigern informs us that it was a custom of the saint 

 during the time of Lent to retire to his cave, in order that, 

 being free from the tumults of the world and the strife of 

 tongues, he might hide himself in the presence of God. St. 

 Serf, the great apostle of Fife, had a cave at Dysart, and 

 here, as we read in the "Breviary of Aberdeen," he was on one 

 occasion assaulted by the devil while in retreat, and chal- 

 lenged to a theological discussion. The legend appears also 

 in the pages of Wyntown, who says — 

 " Quhil Saynt Serfe intil a stede 

 Laye aftyre Matynis in his bede 

 The Devil come, in full intent 

 For till fand him wytht argument." 



{Crony kil, B. v., c. xii.) 



The details of the encounter are given with great minute- 

 ness ; and among the questions with which the saint was 

 posed were these : " Where was Adam after he was put out 

 of Paradise?" "How long was he in Paradise after his sin ?" 

 " Where was Eve made ? " " Why did God allow Adam and 

 Eve to sin in Paradise ? " At last the devil confessed that 

 he was vanquished, when he said to the saint — 



" He kend him for a wys man 

 For-thi he thare gave him qwyte, 

 For he wan at hym na profyte." 

 To which St. Serf replied — 



"Thou wrech ga 

 Fra this stede and noy na ma 

 Into this stede, I byd the." 



The devil departed, and was never again seen in that place; 

 which, as we read in the " Breviary," continued ever after to 

 be held in reverence as connected with St. Serf. St. Monan 

 had his cave at In very, a place, which came in later times to 

 be known, as it still is called, St. Monan's. Of this saint, 

 who is said by Wyntown to have been a follower of St. 

 Adrian, we read in that writer's " Chronicle " — 



