He was a chief in the formidable gang of the celebrated Redmond O'Manion.

It is said of him that he was called Bearna because he never had any teeth; but tradition tells us that he could, notwithstanding, bite a piece out of a thin plate of iron with as much ease as if it were gingerbread.
"Why, that you'll hang yourself, and every man of us." "Nonsense, you cowardly dogs," replied their leader indignantly; "can't we lave the country ?" "Well, if you're bent on it," replied his followers, "we won't be your hindrance." "We can break up, and be off to America," he added.
"But what will you do with the _Cooleen Bawn_, if you take her ?" they asked.
"Why, lave her behind us, afther showin' the party creature the inside of Shane Bearea's stables.

She'll be able to find her way back to her father's, never fear.

Come, boys, now or never.

To say the truth, the sooner we get out of the country, at all events, the better." The Rapparee and his men had moved up to the door of the old chapel already alluded to, whilst this conversation went on; and now that their dreadful project had been determined on, they took a short cut across the moors, in order to procure additional assistance for its accomplishment.
No sooner had they gone, however, than an individual, who had been concealed in the darkness within, came stealthily to the door, and peeping cautiously out, at length advanced a few steps and looked timidly about him.