they advance the fierce war songs of their race. Instead
of the monk's familiar voice on the river banks we are
to hear the shouts of strange warriors from a far-off
country; and for matin hymn and vesper song, we are to
be beset through a long and stormy period, with sounds
of strife and terror, and deadly conflict.




BOOK II.


CHAPTER I.

THE DANISH INVASION.

Hugh VI., surnamed Ornie, succeeded to the throne vacant
by the death of Donogh I. (A.D. 797), and reigned twenty-two
years; Conor II. succeeded (A.D. 819), and reigned fourteen
years; Nial III. (called from the place of his death Nial
of Callan), reigned thirteen years; Malachy I. succeeded
(A.D. 845), and reigned fifteen years; Hugh VII. succeeded
and reigned sixteen years (dying A.D. 877); Flan (surnamed
Flan of the Shannon) succeeded at the latter date, and
reigned for thirty-eight years, far into the tenth century.
Of these six kings, whose reigns average twenty years
each, we may remark that not one died by violence, if we
except perhaps Nial of Callan, drowned in the river of
that name in a generous effort to save the life of one