constitution. It is only necessary to remark in this connection, that
the only persons really benefited in this organized system of land
piracy, are their Grand Masters. They lay most of the plans, and receive
and control the money,--confer among themselves, but never with a common
brother, only using him as a tool for the accomplishment of some foul
purpose. Here is policy. It would not be safe to commit their secrets to
the many hundreds under them, but only to such as are judged suitable
after years of trial, and those beneath are often looking forward for
promotion, which is a pledge of their fidelity. The reader will perceive
that if this higher order was ever to be fully exposed, it must be by
some one of their own number, for one of an inferior degree knows no
more of their proceedings than the uninitiated.

The danger of a full exposure now threatened them in connection with
Colonel Brown; at least they apprehended it. They knew they deserved it,
and the circumstances of their accomplice pointed in that direction. He
had the means--their own letters, and a knowledge of their deeds. It
was only necessary to give information to a third person, and the work
would be done. Besides, he was a man of extensive acquaintance and
influence--a ruling spirit among his fellows. A revelation from him
would have been direful in the extreme, as, in addition, he had in his
possession the constitution and by-laws of the fraternity, which were
always lodged with the ruling Grand Master. Under these circumstances we
need not wonder that there was excitement, that every expedient was
employed to rescue the documents or make away with their possessor. He
was now in confinement. It was vital to their designs to keep him there
till they could secure the letters and constitution above referred to,
or, in case of failure, make his life pay the forfeit. They cared but
little for his brother, as he was of an inferior grade. The Grand
Masters, then in office, had but one object in view, and that they were