in time," Mr. Travilla added cheerfully; then went on to tell of the
notice affixed to Fairview gate.

They were all of the opinion that these evil doers, should, if possible,
be brought to justice; but the nature and extent of the organization
rendered it no easy matter for the civil courts to deal with them. The
order being secret, the members were known as such only among
themselves, when strangers, recognizing each other by secret signs. They
were sworn to aid and defend a brother member under all circumstances;
were one justly accused of crime, others would come forward and prove an
alibi by false swearing; were they on the jury, they would acquit him
though perfectly cognizant of his guilt. In some places the sheriff and
his deputies were members, perhaps the judge also[F]. Thus it happened
that though one or two persons who had been heard to talk threateningly
about Jones, as "a carpet-agger and Republican, who should be gotten rid
of, by fair means or foul," were arrested on suspicion, they were soon
set at liberty again, and his death remained unavenged.

[Footnote F: See Reports of Congressional Committee of Investigation.]




Chapter Ninth.

"I feel my sinews slackened with the fright,
And a cold sweat thrills down o'er all my limbs
As if I were dissolving into water."
--DRYDEN.