10. On the road through Italy Bishop Declan and Patrick met. Patrick
was not a bishop at that time, though he was (made a bishop) subsequently
by Pope Celestinus, who sent him to preach to the Irish. Patrick was
truly chief bishop of the Irish island. They bade farewell to one
another and they made a league and bond of mutual fraternity and kissed
in token of peace. They departed thereupon each on his own journey,
scil.:--Declan to Ireland and Patrick to Rome.

11. Declan was beginning mass one day in a church which lay in his road,
when there was sent him from heaven a little black bell, (which came) in
through the window of the church and remained on the altar before Declan.
Declan greatly rejoiced thereat and gave thanks and glory to Christ on
account of it, and it filled him with much courage to combat the error
and false teaching of heathendom. He gave the bell for safe keeping and
carriage, to Runan aforesaid, i.e. son of the king of Rome, and this is
its name in Ireland--"The Duibhin Declain," and it is from its colour it
derives its name, for its colour is black [dub]. There were manifested,
by grace of God and Declan's merits, many miracles through its agency and
it is still preserved in Declan's church.

12. When Declan and his holy companions arrived at the Sea of Icht
[English Channel] he failed, owing to lack of money, to find a ship, for
he did not have the amount demanded, and every ship was refused him on
that account. He therefore struck his bell and prayed to God for help in
this extremity. In a short time after this they saw coming towards them
on the crest of the waves an empty, sailless ship and no man therein.
Thereupon Declan said:--"Let us enter the ship in the name of Christ, and
He who has sent it to us will direct it skilfully to what harbour soever
He wishes we should go." At the word of Declan they entered in, and the
ship floated tranquilly and safely until it reached harbour in England.