" Murdog on this greater occasion did
whatever homage could be required of him; but that, though
comfortable, was far from satisfying the great King's ambitious mind.
The great King left Murdog; left his own Dublin; marched off westward
on a general conquest of Ireland. Marched easily victorious for a
time; and got, some say, into the wilds of Connaught, but there saw
himself beset by ambuscades and wild Irish countenances intent on
mischief; and had, on the sudden, to draw up for battle;--place, I
regret to say, altogether undiscoverable to me; known only that it was
boggy in the extreme. Certain enough, too certain and evident, Magnus
Barefoot, searching eagerly, could find no firm footing there; nor,
fighting furiously up to the knees or deeper, any result but honorable
death! Date is confidently marked "24 August, 1103,"--as if people
knew the very day of the month. The natives did humanely give King
Magnus Christian burial. The remnants of his force, without further
molestation, found their ships on the Coast of Ulster; and sailed
home,--without conquest of Ireland; nay perhaps, leaving royal Murdog
disposed to be relieved of his procession with the pair of shoes.
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