They have both too much sense to carry religion
about with them like a pair of hawkers, crying out 'who'll buy, who'll
buy;' neither do they wear long faces, nor make themselves disagreeable
by dragging religion into every subject that becomes the topic of
conversation. On the contrary, they are cheerful, moderately social, and
to my own knowledge, with all their pleasantry, are active exponents of
much practical benevolence to the poor. Come, man, take your wine, and
enjoy good company."
"Lindsay," said one of the guests, a magistrate, "how are we to get the
country quiet? Those rapparees and outlaws will play the devil with us
if we don't put them down. That young scoundrel, _Shawn na Middogue_, is
at the head of them it is said, and, it would seem, possesses the
power of making himself invisible; for we cannot possibly come at him,
although he has been often seen by others."
"Why, what has been Shawn's last exploit?"
"Nothing that I have heard of since Bingham's robbery; but there is none
of us safe. Have you your house and premises secured?"
"Not I," replied Lindsay, "unless by good bolts and bars, together with
plenty of arms and ammunition.
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