chuda and
had just returned from Rome, came at this time on a visit to the
monastery. He reproached Mochuda saying: "Mochuda, why do you impose
the burden of brute beasts upon rational beings? Is it not for use of
the latter that all other animals have been created? Of a truth I shall
not taste food in this house till you have remedied this grievance."
Thenceforth Mochuda--in honour of Fionan--permitted his monks to accept
horses and oxen from the people and he freed them from the hardship
alluded to. Sometime later the holy abbot, Lachtaoin [St. Lachten],
compassionating Mochuda and his monks because of their lack of cattle
paid a visit to Rahen bringing with him a gift of thirty cows and a
bull, also a couple of cattlemen and two dairymaids. Coming near Rahen
he left the cattle in a secluded place, for he did not wish them to be
seen. Thereupon he went himself to the monastery and simulating illness
requested a drink of milk. The house steward went to Mochuda to tell
him that Lachtaoin was ill and required milk. Mochuda ordered the
steward to fill a pitcher with water and bring it to him--and this order
was executed. Mochuda blessed the water which immediately was changed
into sweet new milk apparently of that day's milking. He sent the milk
to Lachtaoin but the latter identified it as milk miraculously produced;
he in turn blessed it with the result that it was changed back again
into water. He complained:--"It is not water but milk I have asked
for." The messenger related this fact publicly. Lachtaoin declared:--
"Mochuda is a good monk but his successors will not be able to change
water to milk," and to the messenger he said--"Go to Mochuda and tell
him that I shall not break bread in this house until he accept the alms
which I have brought to the community." On Mochuda agreeing to accept
them he handed over the cattle and dairymen to the monks of Rahen and
the stewards took charge of them. Mochuda said thereupon, that he
should not have accepted the cattle but as a compliment to Lachtaoin.
Lachtaoin replied:--"From this day forward there will be plenty cattle
and worldly substance in your dwelling-place and there will be a
multitude of holy people in the other place whence you are to depart to
heaven (for you will be exiled from your present home)." After they had
mutually blessed and taken leave and pledged friendship Lachtaoin
departed.

Once, at harvest time, the farm steward came to Mochuda com