Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-12-19

BagBeQ III the CeHtIe VI luS "hieSoh
scarlet squadron.
CHAPTER II.
| THE FIERY Cross.
The clansmen with their prisoner
skirted the village and halted in the
woods on the river bank. The Night
Hawk signalled for single file, and in
few minutes they stood against the
cliff under Lovers Leap and saluted
the chief, who sat his horse, awaiting
their arrival.
| Pickets were placed in each direction
on the narrow path by which the spot
was approached, and one was sent to
stand guard on the shelving rock
above.
Through the narrow crooked en-
trance they led Gus into the cave
which had been the rendezvous OF the
Piedmont Den Of the Klan since Its
formation. The meeting-place was a
grand hall eighty feet deep, fifty feet
wide, and more than forty feet In
height, which had been carved out by
the river in ages past when it's waters
stood at higher level.
Tonight it was lighted by candles
placed on the edges Of the walls. In
the centre, on fallen boulder, sat the
Grand Cyclops Of the Den, the presid-
ing officer Of the township, his rank
marked by scarlet stripes on the
white cloth spike of his cap. Around
him stood twenty or more clansmen in
their uniform, completely disguised.
One among them wore a yellow SASH
trimmed in gold, about his waist, and
on his breast two yellow circles with
red crosses interlapping, denoting his
rank to be the Grand Dragon Of the
Realm. or Commander-in-Ch Chief of the
State.
The Cyclops rose from his seat:
Let the Grand Turk remove his
prisoner for a moment and place him
in charge of the Grand Sentinel at the
door until summoned"
The officer disappeared with Gus,
aid the Cyclops continued.
1.-The Chaplain will open our Council
with prayer"
Solemnly every white-shrouded fig
ure kaelt on the ground, and the voice
of the Rev. Hugh McAlpin, trembling
with feeling. echoed through the cave:
Lord God of our Fathers, as In
times past thy children, fleeing from the
oppressor found refuge beneath the
earth until once more the sun Of right
eousness rose, so are we met tonight.
AS we wrestle with the powers OF
darkness now strangling our life, give
to our souls to endure as seeing the in
visible, and to our right arms the
strength of the martyred dead OF our
people. Have mercy on the poor, the
weak, the innocent and defenseless,
a~d deliver us from the body of the
Black Death. In a land of light and
beauty and love our women are pris-
oners of danger and fear. While the
heather walks his native heath un-
harmed and unafraid, in this fair
Christian Southland, our sisters, wives,
and daughters dare not stroll at twi-
| light through the streets, nor step be-
yond the highway at noon. The terror
of the twilight deepens with the dark
ness, and the stoutest heart grows
sick with fear for the red message the
morning bringeth. Forgive our sins
they are many, but hide not thy face
from us. o God, for thou art our
refuge!"
AS the last echoes of the prayer lin
gered and died in the vaulted roof, the
clansmen rose and stood a moment
in silence.
Again the voice of the Cyclops broke
the stiffness:
Brethren, we are met tonight at the
request of the Grand Dragon Of the
Realm, who has honored us with his
pre- sence. to constitute a High Court
for the trial of case involving life.
Are the Night Hawks ready to submit
their evidence?"
I'VE are ready" came the answer.
Then let the Grand Scribe read the
objects of the Order on which your
authority rests"
The Scribe opened his Book of Rec
ord. "The Prescript of the Order of the
Invisible Empire" and solemnly read:
"To the lovers of law and order
peace and justice, and to the shades
of the venerated dead, greeting:
This is an institution Of Chivalry
Humanity, Mercy, and Patriotism: en-
bodying in it's genius and principles
all that IS chivalric in conduct, noble
in sentiment, generous in manhood
and patriotic in purpose: it's peculiar
objects being.
First: To protect the weak, the in
nocent, ard the defenseless from the
indignities, wrongs and outrages Of the
lawless the violent, and the brutal tc
relieve the injured and the oppressed:
to succor the suffering and unfortu-
nate, and especially the widows and
the orphans of Confederate Soldiers.
Second: To protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States, and
all the laws passed in conformity
thereto, and to protect the states and
the people thereof from all invasion
, from any source whatever.
Third: To aid and assist in the ex-
ecution of all Constitutional laws, anc
to protect the people from unlawful
seizure, and from trial except by theil
I peers in conformity to the laws of the
land"
THE Night Hawks will produce theil
evidence" said the Cyclops, land the