22. (15). When that person, then, had been removed by sudden death,[400] again one Niall [_Nigellus_] (in truth _nigerrimus_, very black)[401] quickly took possession of the see. And in appointing him as his successor, Murtough, while he was still alive, _made provision for his life_:[402] he was going forth to be damned, but in the person of Niall he would go on adding to the works of damnation.[403] For he also was of the damned race, a relative of Murtough.[404] But the king[405] and the bishops and faithful of the land nevertheless came together that they might bring in Malachy. And lo, there was an _assembly of the wicked_[406] to oppose them.[407] A certain man of the sons of Belial, ready for _mischief, mighty in iniquity_,[408] who _knew the place_ where they had decided _to come together_,[409] gathered many with him and secretly seized a neighbouring high hill opposite to it, intending, when they were engaged with other things, suddenly to rush upon them unawares and _murder the innocent_.[410] For they had agreed to butcher the king also with the bishop, that there might be none to _avenge the righteous blood_.[411] The plan became known to Malachy, and he entered the church, which was close by, and lifted up his hands in prayer to the Lord. Lo, there came _clouds and darkness_,[412] yea also _dark waters and thick clouds of the skies[413] changed the day into night_,[414] _lightnings and thunderings_[415] and _an horrible spirit of tempests_[416] presaged the last day, _and all_ the elements _threatened_ speedy _death_.[417] 23. But that you may know, reader, that it was the prayer of Malachy that roused the elements, the tempest fell upon those _who sought his life_,[418] the _dark whirlwind_[419] enveloped only those who had made ready _the works of darkness_.[420] Finally, he who was the leader of so great wickedness was struck by a thunderbolt and perished with three others, companions in death as they had been partners in crime; and the next day their bodies were found half-burnt and putrid, clinging to the branches of trees, each where the wind[421] _had lifted him up and cast him down_.[422] Three others also were found half dead; the rest were all scattered in every direction. But, as for those who were with Malachy, though they were close to the place, the storm _touched them not at all, neither troubled them_.[423] In that fact we find fresh proof of the truth of that saying, _The prayer of the righteous pierceth the heavens._[424] It is also a new example of the ancient miracle, by which in former times, when all Egypt was in darkness, Israel alone remained in light, as the Scripture says, _Wheresoever Israel was there was light._[425] In this connexion occurs to me also what holy Elijah did, at one time bringing clouds and rain from the ends of the earth,[426] at another, calling down fire from heaven on the revilers.[427] And now in like manner _God is glorified in_[428] His servant Malachy.