Page:Surprising life and adventures of the gentleman-robber, Redmond O'Hanlon (2).pdf/4

4 though it is probable he might have been an hundred miles distant at the same time. Nay, so well was his character established, and so notorious his actions, that it became a common proverb, when any one had a mind to brand another with infamy and scandal, for him to say, You are as great a rogue as Redmond O'Hanlon.

As Redmond was onco gliding along the road between Newry and Armagh, like a kite in the air in quest of prey, with only two or three attendants, who were at some distance behind him, he overtook a pedlar crying out and bemoaning his misfortune, in a very moving and piteous manner: Redmond taking compassion on the pedlar, came up, and asked him what had befallen him? To whom the pedlar replied, “That damned rogue of a Redmond O'Hanlon has robbed me of above five pounds in monies, which was all I had, and that would not satisfy him neither, but he has taken my box away too; and because I strove to hold it he knocked me down, and kicked and abused me like a dog." Redmond, incensed at such language, had hardly patience to hear the fellow tell out his story, before he interrupted him, and called him a rascal and a lying son of a whore: “How could I rob you," said he, "that never saw you before? You dog, show me which way he went, and I'll convince you that it was none of Redmond O'Hanlon that robbed you." By the time the fellow had described the robber, and showed the road he took, Redmond's company came up, and they all went in pursuit of the new rogue, whom they overtook, with the pedlar's box under his arm, and brought him back to the place where he committed the robbery. He knew himself guilty of the fact, and returned the pedlar both his money and box, without waiting to be examined, being no way acquainted with Redmond or any of his party. Upon this captain O'Hanlon said, he