Page:Surprising life and adventures of the gentleman-robber, Redmond O'Hanlon (2).pdf/2

 THE HISTORY OF

REDMOND O’HANLON was the son of a reputable gentleman, who had a considerable estate, and lived at the foot of Slygunnin mountains, in the county of Armagh, among a vast number of relations several whereof were of the same name. After his parents had given him the best education the time and place could afford, they obtained a small post for him in the army, where he served a few years with credit, though very young, till the reduction of the Irish forces in that kingdom, among which our Redmond was one.

The nation being reduced by the English forces, several Irish families, who had a hand in the wars of Ireland, were dispossessed, and their lands forfeited; by which means a very great alteration was made in this family, and several of the O'Hanlons were obliged to travel, in hopes of retrieving their fortunes. But poor Redmond, in this unhappy condition, once happened to be at the killing of a gentleman in a quarrel, and flying for safety, stopped abroad for a long time, still refusing to come to a trial till he was outlawed, 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.