After many years, he was able to go back to Ireland. It was what he had long wished to do.
It was the eve of Easter Sunday when he lighted that great fire on the hilltop and surprised the king by his daring.
"I will send for the man who kindled that fire. Let him come before me at once," commanded the king.
Patrick was brought in haste, but he was not frightened in the least.
When the king and the princes, the nobles and the Druid priests were gathered together, he told them he had come to Erin to put out the fires of the Druids. He wished to stop the making of the pagan sacrifices in which the people then believed. He had brought something better in their place. It was the Christian religion.
What do you suppose the king replied?
He was very angry, of course. But still he asked Patrick to meet the wise men of the country the next day and talk the matter over. Then he could explain his belief to them.
On the next day he did meet them. He talked so well and so wisely that many of the listeners thought he knew a great deal more than they did. They became Christians then and there.
The king then gave Patrick the right to preach all over Ireland. As he went from place to place, he spoke so well that all those who listened to him felt his great power.