und Shawn-na-Middogue, who stood in
the centre as their chief and leader. A spectator, however, could not
avoid observing that, owing to the peculiarity of their costume, which,
in consequence of their exclusion from society, not to mention the
poverty and hardship which they were obliged to suffer, their appearance
as a body was wild and almost savage. In their countenances was blended
a twofold expression, composed of ferocity and despair. They felt
themselves excommunicated, whether justly or not, from the world and its
institutions, and knew too well that society, and the laws by which it
is regulated and protected, were hunting them like beasts of prey for
their destruction. Perhaps they deserved it, and this consideration
may still more strongly account for their fierce and relentless-looking
aspect. There is, in the meantime, no doubt that, however wild,
ferocious, and savage they may have appeared, the strong and terrible
hand of injustice and oppression had much, too much, to do with the
crimes which they had committed, and which drove them out of the pale
of civilized life. Altogether the spectacle of their appearance there
on that night was a melancholy, as well as a fearful one, and ought to
teach statesmen that it is not by oppressive laws that the heart of man
can be improved, but that, on the contrary, when those who project and
enact them come to reap the harvest of their policy, they uniformly find
it one of violence and crime. So it has been since the world began,
and so it will be so long as it lasts, unless a more genial and humane
principle of legislation shall become the general system of managing,
and consequently, of improving society.

"Now, my friends," said Shawn-na-Middogue, "you all know why we are
here. Unfortunate Granua Davoren has disappeared, and I have brought you
together that we may set about the task of recovering her, whether
she is living or dead. Even her heart-broken parents would feel it
a consolation to have her corpse in order that they might give it
Christian burial. It will be a shame and a disgrace to us if she is not
found, as I said, living or dead. Will you all promise to rest neither
night nor day till she is found? In that case swear it on your skeans."

In a moment every skean was out, and, with one voice, they said, "By the
contents of this blessed iron, that has been sharpened for the hearts of
our oppressors, we will never rest, either by night or by day, till we