第2章 THE STORY OF TUAN MAC CAIRILL(2)

CHAPTER III

One day they were talking together about the majesty of God and His love,for although Tuan had now received much instruction on this subject he yet needed more,and he laid as close a siege on Finnian as Finnian had before that laid on him.But man works outwardly and inwardly.After rest he has energy,after energy he needs repose;so,when we have given instruction for a time,we need instruction,and must receive it or the spirit faints and wisdom herself grows bitter.

Therefore Finnian said:"Tell me now about yourself,dear heart."But Tuan was avid of information about the True God."No,no,"he said,"the past has nothing more of interest for me,and I do not wish anything to come between my soul and its instruction;continue to teach me,dear friend and saintly father.""I will do that,"Finnian replied,"but I must first meditate deeply on you,and must know you well.Tell me your past,my beloved,for a man is his past,and is to be known by it."But Tuan pleaded:"Let the past be content with itself,for man needs forgetfulness as well as memory.""My son,"said Finnian,"all that has ever been done has been done for the glory of God,and to confess our good and evil deeds is part of instruction;for the soul must recall its acts and abide by them,or renounce them by confession and penitence.Tell me your genealogy first,and by what descent you occupy these lands and stronghold,and then I will examine your acts and your conscience."Tuan replied obediently:"I am known as Tuan,son of Cairill,son of Muredac Red-neck,and these are the hereditary lands of my father."The saint nodded.

"I am not as well acquainted with Ulster genealogies as I should be,yet I know something of them.I am by blood a Leinsterman,"he continued.

"Mine is a long pedigree,"Tuan murmured.

Finnian received that information with respect and interest.

"I also,"he said,"have an honourable record."His host continued:"I am indeed Tuan,the son of Starn,the son of Sera,who was brother to Partholon.""But,"said Finnian in bewilderment,"there is an error here,for you have recited two different genealogies.""Different genealogies,indeed,"replied Tuan thoughtfully,"but they are my genealogies.""I do not understand this,"Finnian declared roundly.

"I am now known as Tuan mac Cairill,"the other replied,"but in the days of old I was known as Tuan mac Starn,mac Sera.""The brother of Partholon,"the saint gasped.

"That is my pedigree,"Tuan said.

"But,"Finnian objected in bewilderment,"Partholon came to Ireland not long after the Flood.""I came with him,"said Tuan mildly.

The saint pushed his chair back hastily,and sat staring at his host,and as he stared the blood grew chill in his veins,and his hair crept along his scalp and stood on end.

CHAPTER IV

But Finnian was not one who remained long in bewilderment.He thought on the might of God and he became that might,and was tranquil.

He was one who loved God and Ireland,and to the person who could instruct him in these great themes he gave all the interest of his mind and the sympathy of his heart.

"It is a wonder you tell me,my beloved,"he said."And now you must tell me more.""What must I tell?"asked Tuan resignedly.

"Tell me of the beginning of time in Ireland,and of the bearing of Partholon,the son of Noah's son.""I have almost forgotten him,"said Tuan."A greatly bearded,greatly shouldered man he was.A man of sweet deeds and sweet ways.""Continue,my love,"said Finnian.

"He came to Ireland in a ship.Twenty-four men and twenty-four women came with him.But before that time no man had come to Ireland,and in the western parts of the world no human being lived or moved.As we drew on Ireland from the sea the country seemed like an unending forest.Far as the eye could reach,and in whatever direction,there were trees;and from these there came the unceasing singing of birds.Over all that land the sun shone warm and beautiful,so that to our sea-weary eyes,our wind-tormented ears,it seemed as if we were driving on Paradise.

"We landed and we heard the rumble of water going gloomily through the darkness of the forest.Following the water we came to a glade where the sun shone and where the earth was warmed,and there Partholon rested with his twenty-four couples,and made a city and a livelihood.

"There were fish in the rivers of Eire',there were animals in her coverts.Wild and shy and monstrous creatures ranged in her plains and forests.Creatures that one could see through and walk through.Long we lived in ease,and we saw new animals grow,--the bear,the wolf,the badger,the deer,and the boar.

"Partholon's people increased until from twenty-four couples there came five thousand people,who lived in amity and contentment although they had no wits.""They had no wits!"Finnian commented.

"They had no need of wits,"Tuan said.

"I have heard that the first-born were mindless,"said Finnian.

"Continue your story,my beloved."

"Then,sudden as a rising wind,between one night and a morning,there came a sickness that bloated the stomach and purpled the skin,and on the seventh day all of the race of Partholon were dead,save one man only.""There always escapes one man,"said Finnian thoughtfully.

"And I am that man,"his companion affirmed.

Tuan shaded his brow with his hand,and he remembered backwards through incredible ages to the beginning of the world and the first days of Eire'.And Finnian,with his blood again running chill and his scalp crawling uneasily,stared backwards with him.

CHAPTER V

"Tell on,my love,"Finnian murmured "I was alone,"said Tuan."I was so alone that my own shadow frightened me.I was so alone that the sound of a bird in flight,or the creaking of a dew-drenched bough,whipped me to cover as a rabbit is scared to his burrow.

"The creatures of the forest scented me and knew I was alone.