Saint Columba

Soon after Saint Columba established his residence in Iona, tradition
says that he paid a visit to a great seminary of Druids, then in the
vicinity, at a place called Camusnan Ceul, or Bay of Cells, in the
district of Ardnamurchan. Several remains of Druidical circles are still
to be seen there, and on that bay and the neighbourhood many places are
still named after their rites and ceremonies; such as _Ardintibert_, the
Mount of Sacrifice, and others. The fame of the Saint had been for some
time well known to the people, and his intention of instructing them in
the doctrines of Christianity was announced to them. The ancient
priesthood made every exertion to dissuade the inhabitants from hearing
the powerful eloquence of Columba, and in this they were seconded by the
principal man then in that country, whose name was Donald, a son of
Connal.

The Saint had no sooner made his appearance, however, than he was
surrounded by a vast multitude, anxious to hear so celebrated a preacher;
and after the sermon was ended, many persons expressed a desire to be
baptized, in spite of the remonstrances of the Druids. Columba had made
choice of an eminence centrally situated for performing worship; but
there was no water near the spot, and the son of Connal threatened with
punishment any who should dare to procure it for his purpose. The Saint
stood with his back leaning on a rock; after a short prayer, he struck
the rock with his foot, and a stream of water issued forth in great
abundance. The miracle had a powerful effect on the minds of his
hearers, and many became converts to the new religion. This fountain is
still distinguished by the name of Columba, and is considered of superior
efficacy in the cure of diseases. When the Catholic form of worship
prevailed in that country it was greatly resorted to, and old persons yet
remember to have seen offerings left at the fountain in gratitude for
benefits received from the benignant influence of the Saint's blessing on
the water. At length it is said that a daughter of Donald, the son of
Connal, expressed a wish to be baptized, and the father restrained her by
violence. He also, with the aid of the Druids, forced Columba to take
refuge in his boat, and the holy man departed for Iona, after warning the
inhospitable Caledonian to prepare for another world, as his life would
soon terminate.

The Saint was at sea during the whole night, which was stormy; and when
approaching the shores of his own sacred island the following morning, a
vast number of ravens were observed flying over the boat, chasing another
of extraordinary large size. The croaking of the ravens awoke the Saint,
who had been sleeping; and he instantly exclaimed that the son of Connal
had just expired, which