He did so, and saw: God no doubt to foreshadow by this the
great things that he would eventually work through this His servant.
And this predestination, as it were, He made more remarkable by
another miracle, which, if it was not greater, was more acknowledged
and more widely known from the number of persons who were astonished
at beholding it. In a certain year, it happened that such a quantity
of snow had fallen from heaven, so great was the extent of the thaw
when the sun melted it, that the water covered all the ground, and
grew to the dimensions of a lake, which, spreading into the village,
inundated all the houses, putting even that of Patrick in the
greatest danger. But he, being then only ten years old, with a
lively and courageous faith made the sign of the cross upon the
waters, and in the sight of all compelled them to retire into the bed
of the sea, the land remaining as dry and as free from snow as in the
height of summer. . . . .
"One morning, being about the age of sixteen years, as he stood by
the shore of the sea, reciting the Psalter with some of his
companions, certain pirates made a sudden descent upon the coast, and
having seized them, re-embarked immediately through fear of being
baulked of their prize. Patrick was brought to a remote extremity of
Ireland, and, like another Joseph, was sold to a prince of that
island, who, thinking him fit for nothing else, gave to him the care
of his sheep.
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