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. Upon its abandonment by
Declan and his disciples the ship turned back and went again to the
place from which it had come and the people who saw the miracles and
heard of them magnified the name of the Lord and Declan, and the
words of the prophet David were verified:--"Mirabilis Deus in Sanctis
Suis [Psalm 67(68):36] (God is wonderful in His Saints)."

13. After this Declan came to Ireland. Declan was wise like a