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Part 6. The Uninhabited House

Saint Brendan then embarked, the sail was spread and they began to steer westwards into the summer solstice. They had a favourable wind and, apart from holding the sail, had no need to navigate.

After fifteen days the wind dropped. They set themselves to the oars until their strength failed. Saint Brendan quickly began to comfort and advise them, saying:

"Brothers, do not fear. God is our helper, sailor and helmsman, and he guides us. Ship all the oars and the rudder. Just leave the sail spread and God will do as he wishes with his servants and their ship."

They always had their food, however, at evening time. When they got a wind, they did not know from what direction it came or in what direction the boat was going.

When forty days were up and all the victuals had been consumed, an island appeared to them towards the north, rocky and high. When they came near its shore they saw a high cliff like a wall and various streams flowing down from the top of the island into the sea. Nevertheless they failed totally to find a landing-place where they could put in the boat. The brothers were greatly harassed by the lack of food and drink. So each took up a vessel to try to catch some of the fresh water. When Saint Brendan saw this, he said:

"Do not do that. What you are doing is foolish. God does not yet wish to show us a place to land, and do you want to be guilty of plundering? The Lord Jesus Christ after three days will show his servants a landing-place and a place to stay, so that our harassed bodies will be restored."

When, then, they had circled the island for three days, on the third day about three o'clock they found an opening where one boat might enter. Saint Brendan stood up immediately and blessed the entry. It was a cutting with rock of remarkable height on either side, straight up like a wall. When they had all disembarked and stood outside on land, Saint Brendan forbade them to take any equipment out of the boat. As they were walking along the cliffs of the sea, a dog ran across them on a path and came to the feet of Saint Brendan as dogs usually come to heel to their masters. Saint Brendan said to his brothers:

"Has not God sent us a good messenger? Follow him."

Saint Brendan and his brothers followed the dog to a town. On entering the town they caught sight of a great hall, furnished with beds and chairs, and water for washing their feet. When they had sat down Saint Brendan gave an order to his companions, saying:

"Beware, brothers, lest Satan lead you into temptation. For I can see him persuading one of the three brothers, who came from our monastery to follow after me, to commit a bad theft. Pray for his soul. For his body has been given into the power of Satan."

The house where they were staying had hanging vessels of different kinds of metal fixed around its walls along with bridles and horns encased in silver.

Then Saint Brendan spoke to the one who usually placed bread before the brothers:

"Bring the meal that God has sent us."

This man stood up immediately, found a table made ready and linen and a loaf for each of marvellous whiteness and fish. When all were brought before him, Saint Brendan blessed the meal and said to his brothers:

"Give praise to the God of heaven who gives food to all flesh."

The brothers sat back, therefore, and glorified God. In the same way they found as much drink as they wanted. When supper was over and the office of compline said, he spoke:

"Rest now. There is a well-dressed bed for each of you. You need to rest, for your limbs are tired from too much toil."

When the brothers had fallen asleep, Saint Brendan saw the devil at work, [taking the form of] an Ethiopian child holding a bridle in his hand and making fun with the brother already mentioned to his face. Saint Brendan got up immediately and began to pray, thus spending the whole night until day. In the morning when the brothers had hurried to the divine office and later had gone to the boat, they saw a table laid out just like the day before. And so for three days and nights God prepared a meal for his servants.

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