And when they came and found none of those things which had been told them they were confounded, taken in their own wickedness;[735] and they _knew_ that they had been given up to _the spirit of error_,[736] on account of the messenger of Malachy whom they deceived and his _name_ which _they despised_.[737] Further, the bishop, when he heard that the traitors were foiled in the iniquity which they had devised, returned with joy to Malachy and told him all things in order which had happened to him. 59. Malachy, knowing that by such an event the peace was disturbed, taking suitable opportunity was at pains in his own person to restore peace once more between them, and to confirm it when restored by the giving and receiving of security and an oath on both sides. But those who before had suffered from the violation of peace, mindful of the injury, and ignoring the agreement and the command of Malachy, took in hand to make reprisals. And all coming together, they set out to take their enemies unprepared and to return upon their own head the evil which they had thought to do to them.[738] And when they had very easily forded a great river which lay between them, they were stopped by a rivulet to which they came, not far from it. For indeed now it was not a rivulet, but appeared clearly to be a huge river, denying passage in every part of it to those who desired to cross it. All wondered that it was now so great, knowing how small it had been before, and they said among themselves, "What has caused this inundation? The air is clear, there are no rains, and we do not remember that there have been any lately; and even if there had been much rain, which of us remembers that, to however great a flood it swelled, it ever before covered the land, spreading over sown ground and meadow? _This is the finger of God_,[739] and the Lord _is hedging up our ways_,[740] on account of Malachy, His saint, whose _covenant we have transgressed_[741] and disobeyed his commandment."[742] So these also, without accomplishing their purpose, returned to their own territory, likewise confounded. The report was spread _throughout all the region_;[743] and they blessed God, who _took the wise in their own craftiness_,[744] _and cutting off the horns of the wicked_,[745] _exalted the horn of His anointed_.[746]