The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-03-07

I
cave.
Once more they came to halt, when
the bandage was removed.
The place where they were standing
was illuminated by means of flaming
torch, and the glare was so brilliant and
dazzling that for several moments the
youth was obliged to protect his sight
by shading his eyes. But after having
allowed him sufficient time to recover
from this effect, one of his conductors
stepped forward, and addressing him,
said
"You have already passed too far
within the secret abode of Karl Hassan
to return. You must now proceed, or
suffer the penalty"
"I'll GO, or I'll not 60, just as l
choose! retorted the youth, decidedly.
"You cannot leave this cave alive, un-
less you first become as one of the Has
san league, binding yourself by their
oath to eternal secresy."
II didn't agree to any such thing" !"
"But you will have to-
"Not unless / choose
"What do you say9 Are you ready
to proceed 7"
s'To what p
Become a freebooter"
."And murderer"
Eyes, if necessity requires >
"No, / sciU NOT p
The negative was scarcely uttered,
when he was seized roughly by the two
men and thrown heavily upon the loose
stones. A knife was then raised above
his breast, when a hoarse voice sounded
in his ear. saying:
"Will you proceed p
ssNow was the stlll resolute reply
"You may kill me, if yop like, but I'll
mot become murderer"
"Suppose you were not required to
take the life of fellow. being-what
then p
..Then I've no particular objections
to proceeding"
With this assurance he was allowed TO
rise upon his feet again, when they NOV
ed forward. After traversing for con
siderable distance crossing several
small subterranean streams, climbing
steep ascents and crawling carefully
down almost perpendicular precipices-
they came to. large. craggy- looking
cave, which was lighted by torches pla.
ced in inches of the rocks. Here the
youth was ushered into the presence. of
Karl Hassan and some fifty of his fol-
lowers. The steady gaze of those con-
gregated assassins would have caused a
stouter heart than that possessed by the
young adyenturer, to tremble. Yet he
met those glances unfinchingly, and in
passing his gaze over the motley group
of masked villains, his attention became
fixed upon one who sat alone, at the side
of large round table Pens, ink and
paper were before him.
After having allowed the youth a suf-
ficient opportunity to satisfy his curios-
ity, the man at the table said:
sWho have we there? ?"
IA stranger, seeking admittance,' ans
wered the youth conductor.
Bring forward the candidate!' com.
manded the first speaker
With resolution which none but o
person who is fully determined upon q
special object could exercise, the youth
walked with an unfaltering step near to
the table. From this position he could
discover enough of the mans face who
had first attracted his attention, to know
who he was. The mask was insufficient
to conceal those features from recogni-
ton, and in despite of every effort, the
adventurer trembled.
"What is your names" demanded the
masked villain.
edwin Forester" answered the
youth.
.Have you come with the design and
for the purpose of associating yourself
with Karl Hassan's men p
"That was not my first intention.
"Would you rather return =
.sNo."
"Then kneel and repeat after me our
oath of allegiance"
81, Edwin Forester, do, of my own
free will and accord. voluntarily assocl-
ate myself with, and become member
of the Hassan lcague--promising-in.
asmuch as value my own life--to keep
sacred al acts and purposes of the lea
guc-to perform each an0 every com
mand of my leader without question or
delay to protect brother even with
my life, il it is necessary, and to he
faithful, until death, knowing that the
penalty of an attempt even to betray.
would be punished with instant death.
"'The youth was then ordered to arise,
he was informed that there were other
matters concerning his faith aud good
intcntions toward his new friends, with
signals, which at tue proper time would
lie communicated But for the present
there was more important investiga-
tion--that of testing his courage and
nerve to perform.
Bring forward the prisoner" com
manded the same person who had ad-
ministered the oath TO him.
Two men rose quickly and passed out
Of the caye through different passage
from that by which the youth had enter
ell. Soon they returned, bearing inI
their arms the form of Frank Gillispie
who was bound hand and foot and firm
" gagged. He was placed upon chair
in setting position, near the round ia
bic. The man who thus far had acted
as spokesman, then said:
..You will take this AT the same
lime presen6ag she younl With asword