Come up, boys, and take the oath, and shame to them that hang back." Instantly there was a forward movement in the audience, as with shouts and cheers they pressed towards the speaker.
He held aloft a book and recited the oath in a loud voice.

As far as I remember it bound every one to be a loyal member of the society organised in that district to put down the tyrant and free Ireland from the English yoke.

It bound him, without question, to obey any command or perform any service demanded of him in the cause.

It pledged him to utter secrecy as to the existence and actions of the society.

And it doomed him to the penalty of death for any breach of his vow.
In fours, each with a hand on the book, the company advanced and took the vow, each man's name as he did so being written down and publicly announced.