Page:History of Redmond O'Hanlon.pdf/3

 3 which put him to his shifts. But our hero having received instructions in the art of war, and being naturally of an undaunted courage, was easily led into the secret of invading other men's properties, both on the highway and by breaking open of houses, till he had acquired as much money as might have put him in a way to live above the frowns of fortune, with good management all his life.

But seeming to relish this new course of life more than the former, he proceeded in his robberies, until from an infancy in the art, he became one of the most notorious and expert of that profession, that had ever been bred in the kingdom of Ireland. He had made himself acquainted with all the bye passages in the country, and knew every lurking place in the mountains of Newry and Slygunnin, so that whoever pretended to pursue him, made but fruitless attempts, and commonly returned with loss and shame, like dogs that lost their ears, both before and after the rewards were offered by the government for apprehending him.

He was strong and active, and as occasion required, could perform his feats either on foot or on horseback: and tho' he was so notorious a plunderer, yet he was naturally of a very generous disposition, frequently giving share of what he got from the rich to relieve the poor in their necessities. His remarkable actions and surprising attempts, spread his character through all the country; and being joined by a great number of his former acquaintances,(adventurous lads, who became his associates spontaneously,) until his company was augmented to the number of fifty active men, mostly his own relations, he then began to take upon him a captain's command, and