"You ask me, don't I wish to see the Constitution dissolved and
broken up. I answer, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!"--H.W. Faxon.

"They will join our expedition."--Anon.

"Go in on your muscle."--President Buchanan's instructions to the
Collector of Toledo.

"Westward the hoe of Empire Stars its way."--George N. True.

"Where liberty dwells there is my kedentry."--C.R. Dennett.

Seventeen years have become ingulfed in the vast and moist ocean
of eternity since the scene depicted in the last chapter
occurred. We are in Mexico. Come with me to the Scarlet
Banditti's cave. It is night. A tempest is raging tempestuously
without, but within we find a scene of dazzling magnificence.
The cave is spacious. Chandeliers of solid gold hang up
suspended around the gorgeously furnished room, and the marble
floor is star-studded with flashing diamonds. It must have cost
between two hundred dollars to fit this cave up. It embraced all
of the modern improvements. At the head of the cave life-size
photographs (by Ryder) of the bandits, and framed in gilt, were
hung up suspended. The bandits were seated around a marble
table, which was sculped regardless of expense, and were drinking
gin and molasses out of golden goblets. When they got out of gin
fresh supplies were brought in by slaves from a two-horse wagon
outside, which had been captured that day, after a desperate and
bloody struggle, by the bandits, on the plains of Buena Vista.