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 In the Depths of the 
 First Degree 
 
 By James Doran 
 
 Author of 
 ' Zanthon," " Our Brother," etc., etc. 
 
 The Peter Paul Book Company 
 Buffalo, New York 
 
 MDCCCXCVIII
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 HAPTER. PAGE. 
 
 I. AN ENEMY TO RECTITUDE, . i 
 
 II. FOUR CARDINAL POINTS, ... 12 
 
 III. IN THE TOILS OF LOVE, . . . .30 
 
 IV. THE UTILITY OF PREVARICATION, . . 42 
 V. A PREDICTION VERIFIED, . . . .61 
 
 VI. WHERE Two CURRENTS MEET, ... 72 
 
 VII. AN UNGODLY HEIRLOOM, . . . .84 
 
 VIII. VIEWING THE GATHERING CLOUDS, . . 97 
 
 IX. THE RECORD BROKEN, . . . . in 
 
 X. WHAT HISTORY MUST RECORB, . . 123 
 
 XI. AN IMPRESSIVE TRANSFORMATION, . . .136 
 
 XII. WHAT CAME FROM THE DARKNESS, . . 151 
 
 XIII. AN OLD CRAFT SIGHTED, .... 165 
 
 XIV. "THE POOR MAN OF CHRISTENDOM," . . 178 
 XV. A TAKING DESIGN, . . . . .192 
 
 XVI. SOME SECRETS NEVER TOLD, . . . 205 
 
 XVII. THE CARRIER PIGEON FALLS. THE BATTLEFIELD, 220 
 
 XVIII. SAFE UNDER FIRE, .... 238 
 
 XIX. WOUNDED ON BOTH SIDES, .... 255 
 
 XX. THE IDEAL AND THE REAL, . . . 271 
 
 XXI. THE AFFINITY OF EVIL, .... 283 
 
 XXII. BEFORE THE COURT OF EXIGENCY, . . 295 
 
 XXIII. THE INNER LIFE OF A BAD MAN, . . . 308 
 
 XXIV. A PECULIAR NIGHT BIRD, . ... 321 
 XXV. A SPIRIT THAT RESPONDED, . . . 335 
 
 XXVI. SHOWING THE DARK HAND, . . . 348 
 
 XXVII. A STRANGE COMPROMISE, .... 361 
 
 XXVIII. SEEKING THE OLD LAIR, . . . 373 
 
 XXIX. THE RESULT OF FINAL REPARATION, . . 383 

 
 In the Depths of the First Degree
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 AN ENEMY TO RECTITUDE. 
 
 |N THE fourth year of the presidency 
 of James Buchanan, while west winds 
 were heard whispering strange love 
 songs to autumn leaves and the glow 
 of summer was giving place to tints 
 of a darker hue in the heavens and 
 on the earth, a man stood in the face of the morning 
 on an upland north of Omaha, Nebraska, evidently intent 
 on observing the changes in progress on the plain beneath. 
 This man, although not distinguished by characteristics 
 peculiar to eminent men nor endowed with the rectitude 
 of an average citizen, was nevertheless no ordinary indi- 
 vidual, although with proper precautions directed toward 
 the adjustment of his dress, he could easily pass unnoticed 
 in a crowd; but his conduct had been reprehensible and 
 his line of life outside the pale of civilization for many 
 years. 
 
 In figure he was about the medium height, with shoul- 
 ders a little contracted and sloping, showing physical 
 signs of age. The round head bent slightly forward on a 
 thick neck must have been erect at an earlier date. The 
 hair worn short, and originally dark, was now mixed with 
 gray, while the diminutive eyes, dark and cunning, indi- 
 cated in the man treacherous propensities, as well as that
 
 2 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 they possessed a wolfish cast capable of inspiring terror in 
 a peacefully disposed person if suddenly encountered. 
 Other parts in the facial expression were shaped in pro- 
 portion to his thickset body: large pug nose, capacious 
 mouth, and retreating chin. 
 
 The pallor on his countenance was remarkable, and his 
 ears were flattened out above, making it probable they had, 
 while off his guard, been pressed with a smoothing iron in 
 the hands of an enemy. In addition to these suggestive 
 signs he wore a scowling aspect, as if menaced by some 
 impending danger or difficulty. The lower jaw would fall 
 heavily at times, showing his senses were shocked by some 
 fearful vision. 
 
 Sounds indicative of pain or distress broke through his 
 lips like the whimpering of a lower animal or an insane 
 person ; and he would walk at intervals on a line east and 
 west, retracing his steps to the point from which he had 
 started, in the manner of beasts in a menagerie. 
 
 It was only during the present year he had come up 
 regularly to this elevated place from the base of the slope 
 about two hundred yards distant where his rude cottage 
 was situated, the better to make observations in accordance 
 with his thoughts ; but people imagined his object might 
 be speculation in land or business of some sort. No such 
 idea, however, influenced his movements or touched the 
 darkness of his soul. 
 
 However questionable it may appear, it was nevertheless 
 true that he was in the presence of the beautiful in nature, 
 yet knew it not. He did not note the sunshine of the 
 morning nor the Missouri River winding southward like a 
 serpentine thread of bullion flanked by patches of dark 
 green wood or low brush. Neither did he observe the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 3 
 
 great plains to the right, nor the hills and valleys of Iowa 
 to the left, nor the flickering light among the taller trees 
 that invaded the deep shade in fantastic dances. He did 
 not perceive the birds of bright plumage which shot arrows 
 of light through the air as they whirled before the sun, 
 nor the rich haze that enveloped the distant landscape in 
 a splendor such as ideal minds associate with fairy tales. 
 
 His gaze was fixed on the transformations taking place 
 in Omaha. He appeared to be terrorized at the approach 
 of progress as witnessed in the fast growing city. 
 
 This circumstantial evidence in his case will indicate to 
 some extent the true character of the man, even before the 
 statement of his earlier history is perused by the reader. 
 He was a criminal who had compromised with the law 
 for his freedom, and became a resident of this place in 
 early days so as to avoid society. As a matter of course, 
 he lived under an assumed name, but the record of his 
 birth showed he had been called Hamilton Hitch. 
 
 The Hitch family resided in one of the Eastern states in 
 the suburbs of a large city, and were very respectable as 
 well as wealthy people. Hamilton's aunts, three in num- 
 ber, were sterling ladies, leading members of good society 
 and highly esteemed for their intelligence and genial man- 
 ners, while the individuals of his own family stood, in 
 public estimation, above reproach. 
 
 Up to the age of fourteen he attended school with fair 
 educational results. At that time he was residing in the 
 home of his uncle, having been encouraged to study for 
 the ministry, the eminent profession of his friend and 
 kinsman. 
 
 Suddenly it became known that the young student was 
 afflicted with kleptomania, an unconquerable desire to
 
 4 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 steal. It may well be imagined what consternation this 
 discovery created among his friends. It seemed inex- 
 plicable. His wants and requirements had been supplied in 
 every conceivable manner. Luxury surrounded him. Com- 
 panionship, friendship, and love were his in abundance. 
 Even fame was about to be thrust upon him gratuitously. All 
 these acquisitions, acquired or in perspective, he rejected 
 for the low-bred propensity of theft. As far as known, his 
 operations were first confined to the valuables of his uncle 
 and aunts, but when this field gave out he turned in on 
 their acquaintances. 
 
 When the case came up in the household of the Hitches 
 for examination, and Hamilton was upbraided for his 
 criminal propensities, he lied in answering the charges 
 preferred against him, thus exhibiting another detestable 
 habit. Of course, it was easy to find the truth and prove 
 beyond a doubt that he was guilty, seeing the number of 
 thefts he had committed as well as that much of the stolen 
 goods was found in his bedroom or on his person. 
 
 When every suspicion or hope of his innocence had 
 given place to the certainty of crime perpetrated with 
 deliberation and premeditation on his part, the grief of his 
 relations knew no bounds. They expostulated, prayed, 
 threatened; they reminded him of his duties in life as well 
 as what he owed themselves. Then they promised him 
 extraordinary gifts if he would only reform : all his former 
 deeds would be forgiven and they would love him with a 
 greater display of feeling than ever before. This was not 
 all. 
 
 He was kept on trial or probation for six months, his 
 friends hoping for reformation. It did not come. Nothing 
 appeared capable of moving him towards goodness. He
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 5 
 
 made no effort whatever to control his criminal disposition, 
 but practiced it as heretofore. It appeared to be a fascina- 
 tion from which he could not be separated a link in a 
 chain binding him to a course of evil forever. 
 
 The liability of his conduct to entail disgrace on inno- 
 cent individuals of high social standing in his family 
 became more menacing to them in its attitude than the 
 appearance of a cyclone or a plague. With them there 
 was grief on the one hand but prudence in the interests of 
 honor on the other. After mature deliberation it was 
 determined to protect themselves by heroic methods, 
 regardless of personal feelings. 
 
 Hamilton Hitch was invited one evening by a friend of 
 the family to accompany him to Boston on the night train, 
 and upon their arrival there was given in charge to the 
 captain of a ship bound for a long voyage, with instructions 
 to have the young man work before the mast until he 
 became an able seaman. 
 
 The boy understood the movement thoroughly and the 
 causes leading to its enactment. He made no complaint 
 of any kind. It was characteristic of him to be reticent, 
 to continue in a mood called by some people "a dogged 
 silence," so as to avoid giving a clue to his inner thoughts. 
 This was the only wisdom he seemed to possess. So 
 tenaciously did he adhere to it that his favorite school 
 companions knew nothing of his evil inclination during 
 the whole period of their association with him, and 
 when told the rumors of his fate they would not give them 
 credence, like generous little men. 
 
 At home, all traces of the boy's existence were carefully 
 removed, his books, clothing, and playthings burned, and 
 his name forbidden to be mentioned among his friends.
 
 6 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Thus were created two items as sources of human sorrow 
 the criminal abroad and the memory of him at home 
 one bringing chastisement to the body, the other misery to 
 the soul. 
 
 Hamilton Hitch adapted himself to his new position as 
 best he could, working in the rigging among ropes and 
 clip hooks or aloft in the shrouds, sometimes in the slush 
 of the sea on deck, filling his allotted time of two hours 
 on and four off through all kinds of weather, day and 
 night. There were no means of shirking his duty, or utility 
 in opposing the will of the skipper, his commander. He 
 soon learned to avoid the blow of chastisement from 
 a rope's end or the butt of a belaying pin. What he 
 suffered no one noticed, what he felt no one knew. 
 
 Whether the recollection of his fond mother's solicitude 
 for his welfare haunted his thoughts or that he yearned to 
 be again in the fields and woods of his boyhood days, there 
 appeared no evidence either in his words or deeds. It was 
 only known that, when his ship returned, he left her and 
 sought in the slums of great cities the indulgence of his 
 ruling passion, theft. His identity became lost in the 
 darkness of crime and the oblivion which encompasses 
 degradation. 
 
 He fled before civilization like the shadow of the earth 
 before the sun, as something that would interrupt the course 
 of his existence and destroy the fascination on which his 
 mind eternally feasted. 
 
 His tussle with the law which then confronted him be- 
 came terrific. The struggle for supremacy or immunity 
 from punishment while pursuing criminal practices was 
 great and persistent. He fought like a desperate man 
 imbued with the idea that the battle, being for his own
 
 THE FIRS T DEGREE. 7 
 
 interests, should be maintained to the end with all the 
 power available. 
 
 The instinct of evil in him, gifted with subtle energy and 
 strategic devices, stood up before justice only to fall in 
 ignominy at its feet. In his ignorance of truth, he felt 
 like one stricken with lightning. The petty schemes 
 concocted by his false reasoning vanished when he was 
 most in need of help, like icicles in the rays of the sun. 
 
 To the excitement of his habits there were added hard- 
 ship and punishment as well as defeat. He became 
 familiar with wretched clothing and scanty fare, the 
 scowls of an unrelenting public, the stubborn watchfulness 
 and opposition of the police, the vitiated atmosphere 
 prevailing in places where criminals sought concealment, 
 the loathsomeness of prison cells and the harsh, uncom- 
 promising shock of hard labor. Shame, regret, honor, 
 and decency deserted him. No peace, no moiety of 
 happiness or contentment or sunshine of the heart ever was 
 his. If he were not afflicted with the dread of being cap- 
 tured, he felt the shackles on his arms, or the hustling of 
 the officers running him to jail, or the stare of the people 
 while he stood in the criminals' dock, or the dreadful 
 society of the chain gang ! 
 
 To him, the bright world, fashioned to be beautiful by 
 the eternal powers and supported by an invisible counter- 
 poise, was dark. His thoughts regarded humanity as an 
 enemy to be attacked on sight and pilfered without re- 
 morse. 
 
 Notwithstanding successive periods of imprisonment, he 
 still held on in his course, believing there was as much 
 merit or glory in his profession as that of him who betrays 
 his trust in society and escapes the consequences. Besides,
 
 8 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 he desired to graduate through all the degrees of it from 
 petty thief to highwayman where murder is associated 
 with robbery. It may be said that he went through his 
 curriculum as contemplated ; but, after a practice of twenty 
 years as a professional thief, he found his health very much 
 impaired and himself behind prison bars with the prospect 
 of paying the penalty of his crimes on the gallows. 
 
 In the last act, he had aimed too high. The glory he 
 anticipated had come, but with it a certainty of untimely 
 death. In company with a chosen band of robbers, he had 
 attacked the traveling equipage of a rich merchant who 
 was conveying his family to his country home. What fol- 
 lowed was atrocious in the extreme. The good people 
 were murdered, and the perpetrators of the crime, except- 
 ing Hamilton Hitch, escaped. 
 
 The case attracted widespread attention and commotion. 
 Large rewards were offered for the apprehension of the 
 other criminals. As there appeared some fear that they 
 might escape, a detective suggested to the prisoner that he 
 could save his neck by revealing the names of the members 
 of the gang with whom he had been identified in this last 
 murderous transaction. 
 
 It was a tempting offer, and, when duly considered, Ham- 
 ilton Hitch, yielding to the importunities of the prompter, 
 gave such information as brought his associates to execu- 
 tion, thus satisfying the law and the people. The com- 
 promise, however, while granting him liberty, imposed cer- 
 tain conditions which he must strictly observe. 
 
 The place of his sojourn would be recorded and com- 
 municated to the local police or other authorities in his 
 vicinity so as to establish a kind of guarantee that he was 
 living out of mischief. He must leave the state and on no
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 9 
 
 account commit crime in future, as he was merely a crimi- 
 nal enjoying leave of absence on good behavior ; otherwise 
 he would be prosecuted and his former career exposed so 
 as to militate against his case and secure his condemnation. 
 
 This important turning point in his life convinced him 
 conclusively that his game against the law had been played 
 with a losing hand ; but at the same time it did not induce 
 him to espouse rectitude. Oh, no ! His own reflections 
 on the subject decided that although beaten he was not 
 conquered to such extent as to be forced to renounce his 
 principles, whatever their character. If the muzzling 
 process prevented him from biting, he might bark with 
 impunity. Deprived of the rights and privileges of a 
 robber, he could be a cynic. If he could no longer 
 appropriate the coin of other people for his own use, it 
 would be possible to reach out and assail character without 
 interruption or fear of civil statute. Like Lucifer, he could 
 design evil over and above the constituted powers. 
 
 Hence when he crossed the Missouri to seek a hiding 
 place among the paths of the beasts and the homes of the 
 birds in the beautiful territory of Nebraska, his record was 
 filed in the breast pocket of the sheriff and his heart 
 charged with malice against the human race. 
 
 It was thought he possessed some wealth ; and the sup- 
 position seemed well founded, for he followed no regular 
 trade or business, yet possessed ample means of support. 
 
 As land was cheap in those days, he purchased five acres 
 folfca trifling sum of money and erected on the margin of 
 it a cabin for a home. It was not that he desired to be the 
 owner of real estate even to the extent here named, but 
 there was nothing less for sale in the^market at the time. 
 Then he took a wife whose history need not be written on
 
 10 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 these pages. She became the mother of one child, a boy 
 whom she called Danderton, and tended to his wants until 
 he was ten years of age, when she died. From this time 
 forward, father and son lived with the inconveniences 
 and rough habits of backwoodsmen. 
 
 In view of their house there grew up a village with its 
 main street of tunnel-like stores, its roadway disfigured by 
 gulleys and ruts, its sidewalks dilapidated, and the signs 
 above the doors capable of oscillating on rusty hinges in 
 the wind. While this primitive evidence of man's ability 
 for design remained a trading post, it was tolerable to 
 Hamilton Hitch ; but when, in the course of time, it 
 acquired new strength and began to assume metropolitan 
 airs in pushing its limits far beyond the last outposts of his 
 boundary fence, he became visibly distressed. Then labor 
 and capital rolled in and set industry in motion. Every 
 improvement troubled him. 
 
 At the time of his introduction here, when his age must 
 have been about fifty-eight or fifty-nine years, his dissatis- 
 faction exceeded all bounds. Not only was the evidence 
 of human progress displayed before him in the opening of 
 new streets, the construction of large brick buildings, and 
 the influx of strangers, but wild rumors were afloat that 
 a transcontinental railroad would actually pass through 
 the place and Omaha become a great city ! 
 
 It was singular that what contributed unbounded pleas- 
 ure to every other citizen in the community should inflict 
 punishment on him. The invisible power struck him with 
 a golden rod, causing as deep a wound as if it had been 
 iron. Nor did it appear that the increase in the value of his 
 own property served to mitigate his mental hardship. His 
 vitiated imagination conjured up a strange supposition that
 
 THE FIRS T DE GREE. 1 1 
 
 the eternal powers connected with the affairs of mankind 
 were operating against him purposely with the view of 
 effecting his utter extirpation, and had stimulated the pres- 
 ent work in Omaha in order to deprive him of his resting 
 place. 
 
 Habitual reference to such thoughts made him despond- 
 ent even while the sunshine shed its glory on the spot 
 where he stood, as if some fiend from the illimitable depths 
 of darkness maliciously touched his spirit with concentrated 
 fright. It was evident he was tortured by irrepressible an- 
 guish such as admits of little or no relief. 
 
 The savage retreat he had instituted for himself would 
 soon be wholly obliterated and its obscurity illuminated by 
 the light of progressive industry. This would necessitate 
 a transfer of his record further west into mountain caves 
 or the society of rocks, perhaps. 
 
 If he were to remain in Omaha, many newcomers, ignor- 
 ant of his true character, would invade his residence and 
 intrude on his attention with their undesirable presence. 
 He would hear again the platitude of the fool and the 
 boasting of the vainglorious clown. He would be called 
 pioneer, trapper, squire, or mossback, according to trie 
 temper of the crowd. The daily routine of society would 
 again surround him with its hypocritical show of virtue to 
 cover the deformity of vice, its pretense of friendship 
 exercised in behalf of self-interest, and its false love 
 fleeing like a meteor that appears for an instant and is 
 gone. 
 
 Must he reverse the instincts which guided him hereto- 
 fore to follow such examples of rectitude? Oh, no, no! 
 not by the most minute sign imaginable ! He would 
 show the true color of what was in him by adhering fast to
 
 12 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 his preferences, and war mentally, at least against the 
 industrial and moral efforts of the human race. 
 
 In this attitude he was not alone. If his fate was to exist 
 in the shadow of civilization, it must be admitted there was 
 a large number of persons coming under the same category 
 in civilized countries. They opposed law, and in their 
 ignorance advocated measures which, if carried out, would 
 overturn justice and all good principles as known to man. 
 There was a sprinkling of them everywhere, from the halls 
 of legislation to the inner circle of secret conclaves where 
 the restoration of chaos was contemplated. 
 
 If he relaxed any of his intentions, it must be in favor of 
 his son's advancement, whose career would probably be 
 directed into different ways from that of his own. Perhaps 
 it might be possible to live within society and yet be the 
 thing he always was ! Others did likewise ! The smile 
 passing over his features at these thoughts seemed cast in a 
 mold of the bottomless pit. He drew in the air through 
 the side of his mouth with a whistling noise as he descended 
 the upland to his home intent on a conference with his son 
 on their future situation and prospects, a subject discussed 
 on several previous occasions. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 FOUR CARDINAL POINTS. 
 
 DANDERTON HITCH, the son of Hamilton, was 
 bred with evil influences. As a boy, he sought 
 to emulate his father in those characteristics which had 
 made the latter notorious in the records of criminal pro- 
 ceedings heretofore noticed, but was energetically and
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 13 
 
 persistently restrained from pursuing this course as if his 
 moral training had been committed into the hands of the 
 most exemplary character in the township. 
 
 This action on the part of his parent proved the variety 
 of motives that may be adduced in support of any particu- 
 lar case as well as the resources of circumstances. It was 
 not that Hamilton Hitch loved right and hated wrong like 
 his own parents, but that he had resolved, if possible, his 
 son Danderton should not suffer the severity of prison 
 discipline which had given such a deep and lasting impres- 
 sion to his own mind. Hence every aspiration of the father 
 for his son, mental and physical, resolved itself into this 
 single admonition, 'Keep him out of jail.' 
 
 It is true some of Danderton's petty thefts from emi- 
 grant trains were unknown to the authorities or his father; 
 but whenever the boy was found disturbing the peace of 
 the village or doing any mischief liable to bring him under 
 the notice of the constable, the man invariably came for- 
 ward and offered restitution or compensation for the injury, 
 trespass, or offense complained of, so as to keep public 
 opinion in a favorable mood towards his son. 
 
 As the boy grew, the desire for criminal practice ceased 
 to a minimum under the nature of his surroundings, show- 
 ing he possessed no taint of kleptomania and that heredi- 
 tary transmission did not hold good in his case. There- 
 fore when he reached maturity he was not hopelessly and 
 absolutely committed to the perpetration of wrong-doing. 
 
 His struggle to imitate the conduct of other men as fac- 
 tors of everyday life proved fairly successful, and many per- 
 sons, newcomers, thought him a good fellow. Besides his 
 efforts at appearances, there was an internal monitor urging 
 him to adopt good principles on their own account ; and
 
 14 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 there were moments when his young head and heart turned 
 suddenly in that direction, as if he yearned to espouse them 
 or were in search of other channels of self-gratification than 
 the pursuit of perversity alone. 
 
 On such occasions, gleams of delight that startled him 
 into mute wonder flitted across his mind. These prompt- 
 ings grew up side by side with his other propensities and 
 strengthened with his years until he began to make sug- 
 gestions that alarmed the father, relating to a position in 
 good society. While his education had been neglected, 
 the aptitude he displayed for the retention of knowledge 
 impelled him to seek information of value from every per- 
 son he met, and in this way increased considerably the 
 amount collected at the day school in the village, which he 
 had attended some time. His language, too, was carefully 
 studied by imitation, so that, hearing him discourse on the 
 questions of the day, one would imagine he was a professor 
 of metaphysics endowed with the ability of deducing new 
 facts from chaos that would revolutionize the world ! 
 
 The power most wanting in him appeared to be an 
 incapacity for discriminating between good and evil. He 
 did not know, and it seemed he did not care to know, one 
 from the other so long as he committed no overt act whose 
 effect would place him in jeopardy with the law. 
 
 During his schooldays, he was taught technicalities for 
 the most part, to the exclusion of principles, and therefore 
 was not, perhaps, solely responsible for the deficiencies 
 referred to here. 
 
 As the father entered the house on the memorable occa- 
 sion mentioned at the close of the last chapter, Danderton's 
 look of recognition was clear and intellectual, with a cer- 
 tain amount of proud self-confidence in it that persons
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 15 
 
 usually exhibit when conscious of possessing individual 
 power. 
 
 He was now a man above the average in strength, with 
 broad features and large limbs. His height reached six 
 feet two, and the massiveness of his chest appeared con- 
 spicuous. There were some minor deformities in his person : 
 one of the shoulders seemed higher than its fellow ; while 
 his eyes, when poising to observe an object, trembled in 
 their sockets, on account of a permanent nervous disorder 
 or defect connected with the orbital attachments. The 
 countenance was not prepossessing, but the figure might be 
 accounted straight. A dark color displayed itself on his 
 appearance. The hair glossy black like an Indian's, the 
 skin tawny, the eyes brown, and the eyebrows heavy and 
 black. His dress was neat, and altogether Danderton Hitch 
 looked like a young man of the times. 
 
 The elder man's harsh, complaining voice was first heard, 
 although at certain periods he insinuated a modulating roll 
 into it that sounded strangely musical. He said : 
 
 " Those Eastern people mean to settle down here, it 
 seems to me." 
 
 "What of it, old man?" returned Danderton, good- 
 humoredly. 
 
 " We'll be disturbed. I don't want so many fools near 
 me, I can tell you. The idea that this western country will 
 ever be filled or amount to shucks is all buncombe. There's 
 nothing on the earth here or in it that I can see. If they 
 hunt antelope, they will find it a poor paying job." 
 
 " They ain't going to hunt antelope." 
 
 " No. I suppose they'll pry open other people's busi- 
 ness and nose around to find something wrong with old 
 settlers."
 
 16 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "I think," replied Danderton seriously, "we have no 
 reason to fear either disturbance or misfortune, no matter 
 how many come into the place. I rather believe it will be 
 better for us, as real estate is booming, and your property 
 is sure to fetch you a tidy sum. ' ' 
 
 "Aye, but the old record is there," said the man with 
 bitterness. " Money is good enough in its way, but " 
 
 He stopped suddenly, not knowing how to qualify his 
 words or what he was about to say. After a little reflection 
 he proceeded : 
 
 "I never paid any attention to the prospect of gaining 
 money here. I believed there was nothing in it. The 
 amount secured formerly proved enough for our wants, with 
 a trifle left to keep the wolf from the door. It would be 
 strange if my investment in this piece of land should prove 
 as successful as that of other men /, the hound that was 
 hunted ! /, the black sheep that had no rest until chained 
 in solitude, and then nothing better than reflection that 
 pierced my heart like a lance ! I hated society in former 
 times and I hate it yet for its meddlesome ways and foolish 
 aspirations after superiority that cannot exist. We'll be 
 run out of here to make room for low trash coming in to 
 try their hands at progress. Such humbug 1 They cannot 
 induce me to take that in if I know myself not much." 
 
 " We shall stay right here all the same," remarked Dan- 
 derton quietly. 
 
 "I want no law, or church, or society, or neighbors 
 around me," said the father in a voice filled with the 
 bitter sarcasm of malignity and despair. 
 
 " You are amusing this morning," returned Danderton 
 with a smile, "but you may change the program when 
 I explain the situation as I see it. If we put on appear-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 17 
 
 ances like half the world, we can get along as right as a 
 fiddle without the least notice. While you act inside the 
 law, you may be as good as the next man. The people who 
 have come to look for homes or employment will never 
 hunt up your past history. That you may rely on." 
 
 "Do you mean we ought to make a show of being reli- 
 gious, charitable, and just, loving the law, and all that? " 
 
 "No, not to the extent you mention. Let us be plain 
 citizens, join the crowd in city affairs, and take our chances 
 with them. There's policy in it, if nothing else." 
 
 The scowl on the face of the father darkened, and his 
 eyes emitted the fire of a villainous look as he answered 
 the suggestions of his son. 
 
 "I never will. I'll be the thing I am, straight. I have 
 taken my choice of sides, boy, long ago. It is too late to 
 turn back." 
 
 Still unmoved by the acrimony of the man, Danderton 
 pleaded for the predominance of his plans with the delib- 
 eration of a skilled diplomatist. He resumed : 
 
 "Something must be done to meet the changes in the 
 times. We cannot remain stationary as heretofore. I must 
 go into business, sure, or travel. No more delay is admis- 
 sible in our case. I have been studying for quite a white 
 on certain things which I shall reveal to you now, because 
 the time for doing so has come." 
 
 "What things?" 
 
 " I may call them four cardinal points, as they relate to 
 you and me individually and collectively, or are designed 
 to meet our wants at present and in the future." 
 
 "Ah! but the record is still there that nothing can 
 erase," said Hamilton Hitch.
 
 18 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " Hang the record ! What's the matter with it, anyway ? 
 Now hear me. 
 
 "The first point is all under the head of appearances. 
 We must build a house with modern improvements, furnish 
 it according to the ideas held by people in good society, 
 dress ourselves in broadcloth, pull on dandy boots and silk 
 hats, and show ourselves on the streets either as business 
 men or speculators anxious to advance the prosperity or 
 well-being of the city. Your property is now as valuable as 
 any here, and therefore we can command as much money 
 as we may require by the sale of a small portion of it. 
 Why, dad, some of us may be selected to run for the 
 mayoralty ! " 
 
 The semblance of a smile flitted across the father's face 
 at the hopeful tenor of the young man's views. Danderton 
 continued : 
 
 "You need not be troubled much, because I shall do the 
 working part. All in the world I want is the assistance of 
 your approval, and I promise you will be satisfied." 
 
 " I ain't in it, boy. Any acquaintance with the people 
 must end in trouble. I'll keep out of danger as long as I 
 can. If I saw a lady carrying her purse in her hand as a 
 kind of show-card, I would be tempted to touch her 
 forcibly on the elbow so as to make her hand powerless, 
 when she would drop the valuable receptacle; and in the 
 confusion I could, of course, make it mine. My plan is 
 best: where there is trouble, steer clear of it." 
 
 Danderton straightened himself for a new effort. The 
 shadow of a malicious thought passed over his features. 
 He looked at his father for an instant, calculating, no 
 doubt, the effect of his words, as he said: 
 
 " You hanker too much after the one thing. Why not
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 19 
 
 take something new for a change? For instance, you might 
 operate against the people in other ways than robbery. If 
 you hate 'em, I shall place you in a position where you may 
 strike to your heart's content and yet be accounted guilt- 
 less. It is possible to live on the borders of crime and get 
 the support of a large part of public opinion. There are 
 thousands at the game." 
 
 The man started. He opened his mouth not to speak, 
 but in wonder that such a condition mentioned by the son 
 could possibly exist. The strange prospect smote the 
 center of his intelligence with peculiar force, bringing out 
 of it a gleam of his favorite ambition. Nothing would 
 suit him better than a place where he could work injury to 
 his fellow man with impunity. He glanced at his son as if 
 inviting a continuation of the subject. Danderton con- 
 tinued : 
 
 "On the pretense of being right, advise the people to 
 do wrong. There are many who do not know how to 
 judge for themselves. Manufacture the worst lies imagin- 
 able, but maintain they are your opinions, and claim the 
 right to express them where you please. They cannot be 
 worse than what other fools say, even on public questions. 
 Be a little careful not to go too far on this line, unless you 
 are attached to a party, when it will be understood that 
 money or place is your real object and not a desire to 
 reach the truth, and your associates will back you under 
 the obligation of by-laws or political fellowship. Encour- 
 age workingmen to acts of violence on the grounds that 
 you are their friend and that they have been deprived of 
 their rights, which they should recover in the way pre- 
 scribed. The disturbance will cripple industry, and bring 
 poverty to the doors of honest men. Suppress the truth
 
 20 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 or misrepresent it; afterwards it can only be said you did 
 the best you could under the circumstances. Distort the 
 news until it becomes sensational ; in the meantime it may 
 cause widespread failure or calamity. Defend criminals 
 and defame virtue whenever possible without stirring up 
 public censure. Advocate the impossible, so that men 
 and women may pursue it and fail, catching in their 
 struggles at the belief that there is no good at all in human 
 life. Malign the character of men in public offices, by in- 
 sinuation if not directly ; it will be supposed you are endeav- 
 oring to purify the political atmosphere and restore good 
 government. Do all this on the grounds of being a mag- 
 nanimous person wholly interested in the elevation of the 
 human race, and you will not only be admired, but have a 
 large following whose members will swear you are a true 
 representative of the people's rights ! " 
 
 The eyes of the father kindled with enthusiasm. The 
 harsh lines of obstinacy worn heretofore on his features 
 became softer as he gazed in astonishment at his son, 
 admiring evidently the indication presented in the fore- 
 going speech of his talent for crime such as might make 
 him in time the counterpart of himself. 
 
 After further reflection he said : 
 
 " Dander ton, that beats me. I reckoned an expert 
 thief ahead of everybody; but I guess I'm away back." 
 
 Seeing the success gained over his father's stubbornness, 
 the young man resumed his discourse with the dictatorial 
 voice of a master. 
 
 "You stopped the law against yourself and thought it a 
 great feat, but I can use worse implements than yours under 
 cover of its wings and make it work with me. The trouble 
 in your past life was this : you did not know enough to
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 21 
 
 be thoroughly bad. You were too honest mere green- 
 horn. Hypocrisy should have been added to the desire 
 for robbery and murder, and smooth-faced sycophancy 
 that deludes the unsuspecting and smothers golden-haired 
 judgment. You should have denounced goodness wherever 
 it appeared, and vilified innocence until public opinion, so 
 far as possible, reckoned it on a par with infamy. Why, 
 dad, you were a noble fellow compared with men I 
 have met who held society by the ears at their pleasure. 
 Now, in order to comply with my program, we 
 must join one of the parties contending for power in the 
 United States. There is a demand for outspoken words, 
 whether right or wrong, that should be turned to our 
 advantage. We might talk back, for instance, to the men 
 who want slavery abolished, and get pay as well as pro- 
 tection for it. To do this and be on the safe side, there 
 is but one way of working that I can see. It is the second 
 undertaking I wish you to approve." 
 
 " What is it, Danderton ? ' ' 
 
 " Start a newspaper. There is money and money's 
 worth in it, besides what I mentioned. The discontented 
 classes will follow us to a man if we be sure and pander to 
 their prejudices. Society is so much disturbed that is, all 
 classes of people we may recommend the most extravagant 
 schemes and get plenty of backing for them. I tell you, dad, 
 our times are coming. Give growlers lots of rope. Instead 
 of leading, we shall follow. Play with men's ideas until 
 they imagine they are capable of overturning the world. 
 They will believe everything you tell them while under the 
 influence of flattery, and will spend the last dollar in their 
 possession to help the business and never think we were to 
 blame, whatever happens."
 
 2-2 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 The smile on the father's face gradually disappeared, 
 and the lower jaw fell with a snap, as if his feelings were 
 engrossed by the marvelous in an unusual manner, like one 
 looking into a pit where wild beasts were making prepara- 
 tion to fight. He glanced furtively around, searching for 
 something which his son understood to signify ability 
 sufficient to maintain the journal contemplated. 
 
 Danderton continued : 
 
 "I'll manage things. If we need talent, there is lots of 
 it coming in here that can be employed for trifling pay. 
 The job office in connection with the paper will cover 
 expenses and give the people an idea that we own a large 
 and important establishment. As for ourselves individually, 
 I shall write editorials, while you will be the literary editor, 
 confining your duties principally to review notes on new 
 books and rehashing other men's opinions on the subject." 
 
 Hamilton Hitch made no reply to these extraordinary 
 propositions of his son, but he laughed like one tickled by 
 a combination of pain and pleasure, the echoes being so 
 unnatural as to startle even Danderton by their peculiarity. 
 
 " You will have to deal with a class of people that are 
 easily duped," said the son. "As a rule, none of them 
 will strike back if you say disparaging things of their works, 
 and you will be sustained by the law guaranteeing the free- 
 dom of the press. ' ' 
 
 "Ah! that is substantial," said the father eagerly, and 
 he continued : 
 
 " We may squeeze the writers of books at our pleasure, 
 damn their works in the eyes of the public, terrorize them 
 into bribery, goad them to commit breaches of the peace 
 or suicide, and yet be reckoned in line with one of the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 23 
 
 great institutions of the country. For me, this is a glorious 
 prospect." 
 
 " It is a mere item in the case," remarked Danderton. 
 
 " There is inequality in it," returned the father. " Noth- 
 ing could suit me better than the control of power over 
 persons who have not the means or the ways of retaliating 
 except they brave the stern arm of the law, under which we 
 shall be sheltered." 
 
 "The privileges, moreover, will bring you many other 
 benefits," resumed Danderton. "Good writers will make 
 it a point, on this account, to praise you as one capable of 
 leading in literature and of promulgating ideas tending to 
 secure the prosperity of the state and nation. You shall 
 have eulogies of your genius, real or imaginary, published 
 in the state magazine, embellished with your portrait, side 
 by side with the best people in the West." 
 
 "Danderton! Danderton!" exclaimed the father, 
 trembling with excitement, " don't go too far, boy ; remem- 
 ber the record." 
 
 "You make me tired," said the young man hastily. 
 "Some people don't know what's good for them. Wait 
 until I finish. We require neither a certificate of qualifica- 
 tion nor permit, license, or any document guaranteeing 
 honest services to the public on our part. Even recom- 
 mendations from qualified persons will be out of place, 
 because, in a country where it is held that all men are 
 equal, our claim to equality cannot be questioned to any 
 effect. Buy the outfit and cut away at everything in sight. 
 Time will bring you fame. People shall talk of your 
 cleverness as something above the average. Under the 
 spell imposed by terror, you can creep along until even you 
 yourself will come to believe that you know something.
 
 04 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Attend public meetings, walk across the platform like a 
 person making the first movements of a dance, smile at the 
 audience, keep your mouth shut so as to hide your defi- 
 ciencies. It will then be believed for sure you are brilliant, 
 and everything in politics will be opened to your advances. ' ' 
 
 With this forecast of a great future, Hamilton Hitch was 
 not yet satisfied. There appeared to be an unsurmountable 
 obstacle lying directly in the way, which his mind's eye 
 clearly discerned. Over his pale features a faint smile 
 flitted, and his voice became melancholy in tone as he said : 
 
 " You are a good boy, Danderton. The hopes you have 
 inspired in me are great and good, considering my circum- 
 stances, but there is one thing, my boy, you have forgot- 
 ten. I cannot write. I could not compose or dictate a 
 review to save my life." 
 
 "Is that all? " queried the son, laughing loudly so as to 
 emphasize his merriment. "Why, dad, you need not 
 write or read anything. Get somebody else to do it for 
 you until your hand is in. Give your own opinions; no 
 matter how extravagant they be, they will pass. You can 
 string a few sentences together so indefinite in meaning 
 that the latter part may contradict the first, and still be 
 accounted wise ! The notes will be anonymous. Become 
 a compiler. Take up the history of men and rewrite them 
 in your own way; it will make you imagine you are an 
 author." 
 
 Hamilton Hitch was silent. He sighed as he reflected 
 on some incidents of his career which had been enacted 
 under a false conception of the world and the methods 
 employed in human life to delude the great, struggling, 
 paying public. Then he asked : 
 
 "Is that the way they manage, Danderton ? "
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 25 
 
 " Never you mind what other people do. It will be our 
 way when we come to it," replied the son. 
 
 The preliminary discourse on prospective journalism 
 having terminated in a satisfactory manner to both men, 
 Danderton introduced another cardinal subject, equally 
 interesting, if not far more dangerous, than the one just 
 quitted. In doing so, he lowered his voice and glanced 
 around to see that no strangers were in sight. 
 
 "Now, we must get heeled better than we have been 
 heretofore." This referred to weapons of defense. " You 
 must not suppose I'll scare up danger without preparing 
 to meet it, for one never knows how the temper of these 
 Western people may be turned against you, whether good or 
 bad. That ain't like me, I can tell you. I have been 
 feeling my way carefully in regard to our method of defense 
 in case of attack, and there is this about it, revolvers ain't 
 enough, nor shotguns." 
 
 " Daggers? " suggested the father. 
 
 " Pshaw !" responded Danderton, " these may be good 
 enough on occasions when your enemy is near and off his 
 guard, but what I have in view is far above any of the old 
 methods or means of taking life, and the beauty of it is this, 
 it's sure." 
 
 At this juncture the father became eagerly attentive. 
 He bent forward, assuming a listening attitude, lest a word 
 even of the discourse should escape him. 
 
 Danderton continued : 
 
 "With a little more information, which I can easily 
 obtain, we shall be in a position to meet all persons show- 
 ing us a hostile front. Listen ! Take it into your head. 
 We'll blow 'em up." 
 
 " Blow 'em up, Danderton ! "
 
 26 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "Aye." 
 
 " How, my good boy? " 
 
 " Some new explosive recently discovered. It is said to 
 be at least a hundred times more powerful than gunpowder. 
 Of course, we could do great things with it ; we might 
 terrorize a whole community." 
 
 The father rubbed his hands with intense delight, while 
 his laugh became sharp like the whine of an animal, so 
 much did his personality submit to the anticipation of 
 controlling a great power. 
 
 Danderton resumed : 
 
 " Speaking for myself, I know nothing outside of gun- 
 powder, but there is a man living on the other side of the 
 river who gets the credit of being able to post me. I'll 
 try him, although not acquainted, but I'll pay for what I 
 get if nothing else will do." 
 
 " Be cautious, my son; remember we are not as free as 
 others." 
 
 " Now, pap," said Danderton, as, rising from his seat, he 
 began pacing the floor of the apartment like one suffering 
 from some intense feeling, "the last question to be dis- 
 cussed is the greatest. I may fall in your estimation 
 according to the way you reckon things when you hear the 
 case, but don't be hard on me. I want to get married 
 when our new house is completed." 
 
 The elder man bent his gaze to the floor with the 
 gravity peculiar to good men as he answered : 
 
 " No objection, Danderton, but you need not be told 
 twice it is hard to choose a wife. I'm prejudiced against 
 women in general ; I own up to it like a little man. If you 
 fall in with a handsome one, mind what I say, it will lay 
 you out as flat as a flounder."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 27 
 
 "Lay me out ! " 
 
 "Yes. Bung you up. Scotch you. Drive your manly 
 spirit out of your body and bring the balance to blue 
 ruin." 
 
 "Then I assure you, old man, there is a poor prospect 
 in front of me." 
 
 "You have located the game already! " returned the 
 father, with a forced laugh. 
 
 " I don't deny it, nor would you under similar circum- 
 stances. The lady I dream of is without doubt the hand- 
 somest woman in the territory." 
 
 The father groaned, on hearing this declaration, like a 
 person stricken by lightning. His pale face became white, 
 and his hands trembled while clutching at his knees 
 an effort made to relieve the nervous attack by which he 
 was evidently afflicted. He said, with resignation in his 
 words and deportment : 
 
 "Goon." 
 
 " She is there," continued Danderton, pointing with his 
 finger towards a residence in the neighborhood of the 
 cottage. 
 
 " Here ! " said the father, raising his hand in the same 
 direction. Danderton nodded, signifying his assent. 
 
 " The daughter of our neighbor? " inquired the father. 
 
 " Yes, dad, the same, and don't you forget it." 
 
 " Have you been speaking to her? " 
 
 " No. I went it blind so far." 
 
 " Is it gone the length that you love the woman, Dan- 
 derton? " 
 
 " I plead guilty to the charge, pap." 
 
 "Has she encouraged you? " 
 
 " Not much ; not at all."
 
 28 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " You love her as if she lived in the clouds. Have not 
 even heard her tongue or know whether it is mild or 
 clattering." 
 
 " That is about the lay of it." 
 
 " My poor boy, you are lost ! " 
 
 "Ah, shucks!" he exclaimed. "What has got into 
 you ? Won't things be changed when they're changed ? " 
 
 Without noticing the force or incongruity of this 
 sentence, the father resumed : 
 
 "She is reckoned the best lady in this section, while 
 you are the worst scalawag. ' ' 
 
 "I guess I knew it years ago." 
 
 " She is handsome, but you are out of plumb." 
 
 "The defects of my body will only add interest to my 
 suit. Some people like the spice of ugliness mixed up 
 with their ideas of beauty. Perhaps she may turn out to 
 be one of that class. Men are not always rejected on 
 account of ill looks." 
 
 "Her daddy is rich, and you have nothing except you 
 get it from me." 
 
 "I can earn my own living, if I like; besides, if I get 
 her, I'll come in for her money, anyway." 
 
 " The people would cry out against the marriage." 
 
 " By what right, sir?" 
 
 " Meddlesomeness, perhaps. ' ' 
 
 " They won't dare to, if they know what's good for 
 them." 
 
 " What makes you think she would have you ? Are 
 you crazy?" 
 
 "I'll take my chances, like anybody else. I'll tell you 
 one thing if she consented to be my wife, I would 
 become good. Mark that. I'll follow her to the ends of
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 29 
 
 the earth, no matter where located. If she desires it, I'll 
 pray, throw money into the poor box, help to make col- 
 lections for the minister, and believe every word he says 
 whether true or false." 
 
 "Ah ! " exclaimed Hamilton Hitch, with a long drawl, 
 speaking to vacancy. " How well I knew of the curse 
 that follows a nice face on a woman ! I could swear to it 
 any time without help. This misfortune will discount all 
 our projects, if there was a million of them." 
 
 " My sakes ! " remarked Danderton, excitedly. "I see 
 nothing in it to call for such opposition from you. I 
 imagined it would not be wise to marry a character like 
 myself." 
 
 "Wouldn't it, though? What else is good for you? 
 Like should have like. It don't need learning to know 
 that much. I am as much in favor of your marrying as 
 the newspaper business, but I swear I hate to see you go 
 and make a fool of yourself on account of a handsome 
 face. Don't you see you'll get fooled? " 
 
 Danderton, whose pride was wounded by this language, 
 went into a towering passion. He stormed through the 
 apartment in a manner that precludes the possibility of 
 recording his words in these pages, so terrible and obnox- 
 ious were their significance. On the other hand, the 
 father endeavored to temper his own fury by advice tend- 
 ing to avert the threatened danger. Like an angry sea 
 under the hurricane, his sarcastic bitterness of expression 
 arose or fell according to the intensity of feeling em- 
 bodied in his son's remarks. Indignant protestations of 
 the son clashed with fiery repartee from the father. The 
 air became charged with evil specters, emanating from 
 the deathlike pallor of the men's faces, the fierce glances,
 
 30 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 the distorted laugh, and the tempestuous repetition of blas- 
 phemous words. The walls reverberated with the horror 
 of infamous affirmation and negation. It was a struggle 
 between two giant spirits whose souls had previously 
 been saturated with iniquity, until they were qualified to 
 be reckoned the followers of the Prince of Darkness. 
 The contention ended in favor of Danderton, who pos- 
 itively held the position that he was competent to judge 
 for himself, and unless conceded this privilege would quit 
 his home and the society of his father forever. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 IN THE TOILS OF LOVE. 
 
 THE feelings held by Danderton Hitch for his neigh- 
 bor's daughter, Grace Finnestare, resembled pla- 
 tonic love in some features only. The intensity of admira- 
 tion and fascination was there without the desire of self- 
 sacrifice for the loved object peculiar to the condition 
 when genuine. He loved her for himself, not for herself. 
 This kind of affection becomes dangerous under disappoint- 
 ment. Although living outside the society in which she 
 moved, yet he believed it possible to win her, favored by 
 circumstances, perhaps, and time, two items that so fre- 
 quently and forcibly induce women to accept companion- 
 ship otherwise distasteful to them. 
 
 Besides these considerations, however, he nurtured her 
 image in his mind until he began to be troubled with un- 
 rest day and night. A mysterious power seemed to have 
 entered his person, which controlled his heart, his will, and
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 31 
 
 intellect without opposition, as if his faculties had been 
 suppressed or were incapable any longer of independent 
 action. Still, during his reasoning moments, while cogi- 
 tating on the question of his mental condition, he made no 
 effort to institute a change favoring relief. This indicated 
 he was spellbound. 
 
 In the past he only caught a sight of her at long inter- 
 vals, but now the routine of his life favored the sustenance 
 of his daydream, for his father had conceded the utility of 
 his propositions and granted him full power to launch into 
 public business with all the appearances and auxiliary forces 
 which he could possibly employ. While superintending 
 the construction of their new residence, Finnestare's place 
 was constantly in view. His glances at the external appear- 
 ance of the domicile had a soothing effect on his troubled 
 imagination and brought a kind of happy humor to the 
 surface of his thoughts, like men who smile at their own 
 faces in a mirror, believing them to be the most perfect 
 on earth. 
 
 Finnestare's residence was only a few hundred feet south 
 of his own, on the opposite, or west, side of the street. It 
 was a portly house, surrounded by rare shrubs and fruit 
 trees where humming birds sometimes flitted in summer; 
 and the verdure within the boundary picket fence, con- 
 trasted with the ancient appearance of the dwelling, made 
 the scene exceedingly attractive. The space occupied in the 
 manner here mentioned was only a block, but to Dander- 
 ton it appeared more valuable than the whole of Omaha. 
 Here in this abode lived Grace Finnestare, whose beauty 
 had inspired him, not alone with love; but ambition to be 
 great, and for whose sake he had threatened to espouse 
 righteousness in opposition to the will of his father. It
 
 32 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 seemed odd that the old-fashioned roof and faded walls 
 assisted to deepen his passion whenever he gazed lovingly 
 at them, yet it was true. The smoke from the chimney 
 stack, as it ascended skyward on calm evenings, or bent to 
 the breeze, possessed peculiar charms for his heart that 
 contributed to make up the sum of his affection or afflic- 
 tion. If he could have seen the atmosphere even which 
 encompassed the situation, he would have loved it. 
 
 All the details respecting the construction of the Fin- 
 nestare dwelling were familiar to his memory, as far as 
 could be gleaned from early settlers how Finnestare 
 offered no opposition to the builder respecting the quaint 
 gables of his design or the plain windows and overlapping 
 weatherboarding instead of rustic, so long as the walls 
 would be well braced, the studding of unusual strength, 
 and the spaces large so as to provide an ample amount of 
 air for the occupants. 
 
 Under the joint management of these two improvised 
 architects the domicile grew to completion a two-story 
 structure of twelve apartments, angular and barn-like ; and 
 when the material of which it was composed had suffered 
 deterioration through climatic exposure, it looked far older 
 to the mind's eye and the physical eye than the actual 
 years of its existence would determine. 
 
 The fulness of Danderton's ecstasy, however, appeared 
 when occasionally he beheld the object of his love at an 
 upper window or among the flowers near the house in all 
 the glory of youth and beauty. 
 
 At the time to which reference is here made, Grace 
 Finnestare was twenty. Sensible and sedate, her refine- 
 ment sparkled with the vigor of a crystal fountain. The 
 light-colored hair, done up in the fashion of the American
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 33 
 
 girl of the period, seemed to have been burnished by a 
 sunbeam in Nature's own hands. The face was classically 
 regular, of the old Grecian type of comeliness, with the 
 cheeks tinted vermillion color and the brown eyes lumin- 
 ous with luster. Her eyelashes were long and dark, while 
 the coloring of the eyebrows harmonized with that of her 
 silky tresses. In stature she was tall and graceful, the lines 
 bounding the head, shoulders, and arms forming exquisite 
 curves, which, taken in connection with the proportions 
 observable in the entire figure, made them exponents of 
 fascination far-reaching in their influence over susceptible 
 hearts. 
 
 The father, known to the community as Judge Finnestare, 
 was one of the early settlers on the Nebraska side of the 
 Missouri River, who became wealthy as a consequence of 
 careful management and wise investments. He was of 
 French extraction and related to Laramie, a trapper who at 
 an early date penetrated to the foot of the Rocky Moun- 
 tains and slew buffalo without assistance from his people or 
 permit from the red man, but was himself slain by Arapahoe 
 Indians on the head waters of the river bearing his name. 
 Finnestare knew other celebrated men of the plains 
 Sublette, Campbell, Bridger, Kiplin, and Sabille. 
 
 Incidentally it may be mentioned that he was not an 
 adept in law, nor did he hold any position during his life 
 justifying a claim to the title of judge. In fact, this hon- 
 orable appellation was given him gratuitously by the people 
 to mark their appreciation of his wisdom and general con- 
 duct as a good citizen. As seen now, at his introduction, 
 he appeared to be at least seventy years of age. The white 
 hair and beard carefully tended were impressively remark-
 
 34 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 able above his blue clothes, which fitted his figure com- 
 fortably and admirably. 
 
 He was not a large man, but activity had made his body 
 firm and healthy. The erect position assumed in former 
 years had disappeared, and in its place there came the 
 curved vertebral column, attenuated hands, and the lessen- 
 ing of energy peculiar to old age. No one could turn 
 away from him, however, without noticing the pleasing 
 expression overspreading his countenance, or fail to recog- 
 nize the bright gleam of penetrating intelligence in his 
 eyes. 
 
 There was hope for the world at large while this good 
 man and his daughter lived in innocence, and industriously 
 untainted by the example of their neighbors, and indeed, 
 almost wholly ignorant of their character. Standing on 
 this ground, the one family adjoining the other, like day 
 and night or the calm appearance of a rock -bound coast 
 before the angry waves, the universal law above and the 
 common law on earth kept them separated and distinctive. 
 
 Besides dealing in real estate, Judge Finnestare trans- 
 acted a banking business. Originally a small concern in 
 a downtown store, established as much for the accomoda- 
 tion of his friends of the village as an institution from 
 which large personal gains might be realized, it had 
 recently become so important as a depository and exchange 
 that the profits derived from it were considerable. 
 
 Finnestare's wife had been dead many years, but father 
 and daughter, clinging closely to the observances of 
 sociability, good breeding, and respectable citizenship, 
 entertained the best people in Omaha. Their set included 
 a large number of pioneer families, with many of the 
 newcomers, good, honest folk, having plenty of means,
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 35 
 
 fully alive to the necessities of the times and the obliga- 
 tion of preserving straight, wholesome law among them. 
 
 In times past, when Danderton Hitch sought low resorts 
 for entertainment, society at the Finnestares' never troubled 
 him ; but when wealth crowded in upon his life, bringing 
 with it dreams of love, conquest, and future happiness, he 
 turned his attention to the assemblies of this upper 
 stratum of humanity with a longing desire to be in their 
 midst. Then the keen pangs of disappointment smote him 
 to the heart, and he felt how terrible it was to be ostracised 
 by public opinion. He saw the visitors enter the Finnes- 
 tare home, heard the laughter and the music surging 
 through the windows day after day and night after night, 
 while he prowled around the angles of the fence in the 
 darkness, like a wolf disturbed by some voracious fancy. 
 
 Still, his hopes grew with time and the new era, which 
 had produced such abundant resources for him and his 
 father. He became bold occasionally while viewing the 
 scene where his love resided, and asserted within himself 
 that, if necessary, he would shatter or destroy anything or 
 everything that intervened between him and her. Yet he 
 made no attempt to gain a formal introduction or procure 
 access to the house on any pretense, calculating, no doubt, 
 that the auspicious moment had not arrived. 
 
 He saw the old-fashioned make-up of the Finnestare 
 residence become like a dear friend in his thoughts, but he 
 deferred approaching nearer to it than the fence, guided 
 by some mysterious agent in league with the powers con- 
 trolling the destinies of man. 
 
 How absolute would be his satisfaction had he beheld 
 the interior, with its cleanliness and decorative append- 
 ages, the cosy corners and easy-chairs, the sweet-scented
 
 36 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 bedrooms, the olive and buff-colored walls, the dining 
 room with roses peeping in at the windows, the pictures 
 of Western landscapes, and the large living room on the 
 ground floor where society was entertained. Further, if 
 he had seen Grace Finnestare at the piano, and heard her 
 voice in the song, " Find me a heart that truly loves," he 
 would have slept over it with such ecstacy as pervades the 
 individuality of a lion when at rest among the fragrant 
 shrubs of the deep wood. 
 
 Besides the persons and items mentioned in connection 
 with the history of the Finnestares, a few others came 
 under the notice of Danderton, whose influence went to 
 make up the sum of his distress. 
 
 As Grace was an only child, her father, with paternal 
 solicitude for her welfare, employed a lady capable of act- 
 ing in the double capacity of cicerone and domestic, or 
 housekeeper. This person proved to be very efficient, 
 trustworthy, and honest in all her dealings. She was 
 small in figure, with a pert-looking face, well shaped, 
 neatly dressed in black, being a widow about forty years 
 of age, and was known by the name of Madam Gloriana. 
 She had lived with the Finnestares for years, and was 
 content. Quick in her movements, gifted with rare dis- 
 cernment, full of exquisite designs in the management of 
 the household affairs, she exercised much influence over all 
 persons of her acquaintance. In places where she ap- 
 peared, consistent with her duties, order prevailed. The 
 family breakfast table, with its white cloth and glisten- 
 ing furniture, was delightful to behold. The perfume 
 of flowers and fragrant leaves which pervaded the place 
 around it made up a kind of relish that created a new 
 zest for the morning meal. Her superintendence of the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 37 
 
 culinary department gave complete satisfaction. Nothing 
 escaped her critical eye. Every nook, corner, and apart- 
 ment in the house also gave evidence of her care and 
 watchfulness. The glass in the old windows resembled 
 crystal, the carpets appeared new, and the woodwork sent 
 forth a glow as if it had just come from the hands of the 
 polisher. 
 
 Madam Gloriana seemed to possess the power of 
 ubiquity. Hearing her voice in the kitchen, you turned 
 in the opposite direction, and, lo, she was in view. Enter 
 the parlor, and the rustling of a skirt indicated she was 
 near at hand. Raise a window on the outside and look into 
 the interior of the house, her little lace cap and white apron 
 blocked a part of the perspective. Try to gain access to the 
 boudoir of Grace Finnestare, and her cicerone, with her 
 bright smile and penetrating glance, was encountered face 
 to face. Her voice, too, sharp but musical, was frequently 
 heard directing the work of the colored woman, the servant, 
 whose answers came in deep, guttural tones not unpleas- 
 antly to the ear, bringing with them her version of the 
 housekeeper's name, "Mis' Goleyann." 
 
 Danderton soon recognized the importance of the posi- 
 tion held by Madam Gloriana. She was mixed up in his 
 thoughts to such extent that his glances at her, when they 
 met in the street, or now while he was busy passing and 
 repassing to his new house, indicated deep feeling, if not 
 love. 
 
 She imagined she read his heart aright through the cor- 
 ner of her eye, and wondered how it was that her plain face 
 and black dress could engage the attention of this young 
 sport, whose instincts were supposed to be directed to 
 louder colors. Madam Gloriana, with all her acuteness of
 
 38 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 penetration, failed to solve the mystery. Danderton's love 
 was merely reflected on her like the manner of its solicitude 
 for the old fence around the residence of Grace Finnestare 
 or the quaint chimney stack. There was an index of senti- 
 ment and love visible in his countenance, surely, but they 
 were of a secondary kind and did not contemplate fulfillment 
 with her. 
 
 In like manner he felt a growing interest in the move- 
 ments of the colored woman above mentioned, whose name 
 was Felice. Although opposed to the freedom of slaves, 
 he did not regard this woman's liberty in an unfavorable 
 light, nor her color even, which approached ebony, for the 
 matter of that. This was one of the good things wrought 
 by the charm under which he labored, besides magnifying 
 the focus of his senses. What could be more surprising 
 than that the faded handkerchief, worn as a turban around 
 her head, and the straight skirt, colorless, without flounce 
 or frill, should excite his admiration as much, perhaps, 
 as if they were select paintings from the great masters? 
 When Felice, who was over fifty years of age, and dumpy- 
 shaped, toddled on the road to market, Danderton viewed 
 the display of dust raised by such action with greater pleas- 
 ure than if it contained gold; and when she disappeared 
 within the house at her return, some valuable item of satis- 
 faction seemed to have deserted him. 
 
 He could not fathom the design of nature in this case. 
 It appeared cruelly intent on foisting irrational or mean- 
 ingless factors into the foreground of his imagination, 
 where he had calculated on seeing only one loved object. 
 Why could it not stop at that instead of contriving to 
 collect a host of things, each of which endeavored to make 
 common cause against his heart? It was evident the bur-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 39 
 
 den of his cares grew heavy in proportion to the amount 
 of thought bestowed upon it and must soon become insup- 
 portable, unless made light by some subtle means of relief. 
 
 On reflection, he determined to arrange for a consulta- 
 tion with the man beyond the river, who had been already 
 booked for an interview on explosives. This person, reputed 
 to be an adept in the knowledge of fulminates, must know 
 how to cure a shattered heart, or at least devise means of 
 preserving it from total disintegration. In modern times 
 it was not unreasonable to connect the uncertain issue of 
 love in any particular case with powder, dormant or active. 
 It would be useless, he imagined, to refer the matter to 
 his father, whose sneering answers would do nothing but 
 aggravate his sufferings. He knew young men sometimes 
 sought information on love affairs, and in any case con- 
 sultation had been the method by which he had obtained 
 most of the knowledge in his possession. Hence he would 
 lay his heart open to this man on the same terms as those 
 contemplated for his other scheme. 
 
 Grace Finnestare knew little or nothing of Danderton's 
 pretenses or passion for her. She had seen him scruti- 
 nizing the premises and the inmates of it, herself included, 
 but, like the others, was unable to determine his real 
 object. From all that could be gathered as evidence from 
 physical signs, she imagined Madam Gloriana might be 
 the person desired, and from the conversation that ensued 
 one evening in front of the living room at Finnestare's, 
 it would be fair to conclude that the little housekeeper 
 believed this also, although not favoring it. 
 
 It was the half hour before the arrival of visitors, when 
 Felice, having completed the labor of dish-washing in the 
 kitchen, came through the reception room to the front
 
 40 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 door for the purpose of inhaling the evening air, always 
 fragrant at that point, and, seeing Miss Grace and Madam 
 Gloriana seated in a rustic chair in the vicinity, folded 
 her arms crosswise on her breast and tilted her head a little 
 to one side as preparatory measures to her taking part in 
 the conversation conducted by the two ladies aforesaid a 
 privilege accorded her on all such occasions. 
 
 Madam Gloriana was saying : 
 
 " Oh, Mees Grace, he looks at me so," referring to Dan- 
 derton. 
 
 "No doubt he admires your petite form and oval face," 
 responded the lady. 
 
 " Ah ! but why, Mees Grace, why should he? My good 
 husband that is dead would never believe I marry again. 
 Don't I show the sign? My dress is black, and I mind my 
 own affair." 
 
 "It is hard to understand men's likes and dislikes. It 
 seems reasonably certain you are the object of his admira- 
 tion. You might begin to wear second mourning as a 
 reminder to him that you appreciate his taste," said Grace 
 Finnestare, with a merry twinkle in her eye. 
 
 " Never, Mees Grace, never." 
 
 "He is building a fine home for somebody, and the 
 prospect of wealth and distinction before him is favor- 
 able." 
 
 " Ah, ma dear child, you are too young yet to know 
 men. Riches don't do all, nor fine houses. I fear him, 
 Mees Grace, and I would not have you think of him 
 either, on any account. I fear him. He has a wicked 
 look in his eye, and his shoulder is too threatening." 
 
 Whatever ideas Grace Finnestare entertained of the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 41 
 
 variety of Danderton's fancies, she made no attempt to dis- 
 close them at the present discussion. 
 
 Madam Gloriana continued, turning to the Negro 
 woman : 
 
 "Does Meester Danderton Hitch, that's building the 
 new house out there, ever look at you, Felice? " 
 
 "I's, Mis' Goleyann ! dis nigger, dis ol' porpus?" 
 
 "Yes, Felice." 
 
 " Lor' bless yo' heart, no. Nebber seed me, nohow 
 more nor a dead possum in de canebrake." 
 
 " Who is he looking after, Felice, when he looks at the 
 house?" 
 
 "Golly! seed nobody with the house in front of him. 
 But now dat I's tinkin', I notis' de odder day dat he tuk a 
 mighty long look at dat big basket I was totin' along, but 
 I jes' walked 'long an' 'peared like I nebber seed him, foh 
 our folks don't notis no sich po' white trash." 
 
 Madam Gloriana looked at Grace significantly, and 
 said : 
 
 " You see, ma dear, even Felice understands the kind of 
 genteelman he is. I do not know the word you call it in 
 English." 
 
 " Intuitiveness, perhaps ? " 
 
 "Ah, yes, ma dear, intuiteevness. She know it by her 
 feelings. See, I will ask her. How do you know, Felice, 
 he is not a ver' fine genteelman ? " 
 
 " How dis ol' F'lice know dat, Mis Goleyann ? Fink I 
 don' know quality when I sees 'em? Bin too long in 
 Massa Finnestare's fam'ly not to see de dif 'rence 'tween 
 quality and po' white trash. Don't like de way he blinks 
 his eyes, nohow. Who you s'pose he's buildin' dat big 
 house foh, Miss Grace?"
 
 42 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " Why, for himself and his father, I suppose, Felice, 
 and perhaps he intends to get married." 
 
 "Can't get no lady round dese parts. Nebber seed 
 him keep comp'ny, nohow. Wha's dere manners an' 
 bringin' up, when dey sta'es at pussons like dey nebber 
 seed high-tone folks afore? Don' you tink dey shows 
 what dey is, Mis' Goleyann ? " 
 
 "Ah, yes, Felice, you have the right deescernmen'. I 
 have remark before, ma dear Mees Grace, that they have 
 not quite the proper way, though, of course, we may mak' a 
 meestake about it, because they are not like our own many 
 friend and acquaintance." 
 
 At this time some visitors were seen approaching, and 
 the conversation ceased. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE UTILITY OF PREVARICATION. 
 
 E man beyond the river, referred to by Dander ton 
 JL Hitch as a person well qualified to render him 
 assistance in overcoming his present difficulties, was named 
 Crow Whifton, a dealer in trifles. His residence and 
 place of business occupied an angle of two crossroads 
 where Council Bluffs is now situated, about four miles north- 
 east of Omaha. The roads in question came in directions 
 from the southeast and northeast respectively, having sev- 
 eral tributary highways joining them in their courses, and, 
 after crossing at the point here indicated, stretched ob- 
 liquely towards Nebraska, seeking the great westerly routes 
 on that territory.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 43 
 
 In selecting the situation Whifton entertained a keen 
 perception of the profits to be derived from a traffic with 
 the people engaged in moving to the West, usually dis- 
 tracted from their habitual caution by the soothing influences 
 of new scenes or effervescent enthusiasm. As a matter of 
 course, he did not calculate on the realization of a fortune 
 or even large profits ; but, apart from the amount that 
 might be considered sufficient gain, he entertained an in- 
 satiable desire for that kind of trade a peddling and swap- 
 ping propensity which he could never overcome. With 
 narrow views, his ambition had been proportionately 
 stunted, nature, no doubt, having molded both attachments 
 within a diminutive compass in order to bring them into 
 conformity with his physical structure, which was decidedly 
 dwarfish and effeminate. On this account, perhaps, he 
 avoided the principal overland highway located further 
 south, fearing his utter extirpation should he be found 
 anywhere near its gigantic lines. Where twenty thousand 
 people, including Russians, Mormons, Jews, and other 
 foreign and native tribes of white men, as well as hostile 
 Indians frequently in pursuit of them, and inferior animals 
 to correspond, passed in one day, it was a wise policy to 
 give such public road a wide berth. If the dust raised by 
 AH Baba and his forty thieves, thought Whifton, appeared 
 terrible when seen in the distance, what must be the mag- 
 nitude of the earthy commotion kicked up by these motley 
 crowds eager to breathe the invigorating breezes of the 
 Pacific Ocean ? Hence, after a full investigation of the 
 subject, he had determined when leaving his native state 
 in New England to content himself with the prospect on 
 an unpretentious tributary road, where thieves would find
 
 44 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 little to sustain their occupation and party strife be the 
 least possible feature of the situation. 
 
 Nor did he neglect to secure other means of safety 
 afforded by the laws of the state, after his arrival in Council 
 Bluffs. He made the acquaintance of the sheriff of the 
 county, the justice of the peace, the night watchman in 
 Omaha, and the constable at that place, who carried nei- 
 ther badge nor baton to distinguish him from an ordinary 
 civilian. This was considerable backing for a frail, single 
 man against the possibility of Indian raids or marauders of 
 the white species ; and, being one of the class of odd char- 
 acters who pass through great dangers unknowingly and 
 are often found in places where brave men fear to tread, he 
 seemed to think, in the present case, that this spot was as 
 safe as the shadow of the police headquarters in his native 
 town. 
 
 As previously mentioned, Crow Whifton was a little 
 man. Lean in body, pigeon-breasted, with dark hair 
 and complexion, the conformation of the ridge-like pro- 
 tuberance in front being also observable on the upper 
 part of his mouth, where the two incisor teeth formed 
 an angle having the apex outward, as if it had been 
 intended by the powers concerned in his creation to run a 
 small mountain range over the entire median line of the 
 body. The fashion of the times gave tacit recognition to 
 the cut of his coat, a black frock with long tails, pants and 
 vest to match; but carelessness and frontier life left them 
 sadly bespattered with grease spots and dust without dis- 
 turbing the serenity of the wearer's mind. Above these 
 disfigured habiliments he wore an uncommonly large hat, 
 hard in the grain, round topped, and broad leaved, but 
 fitting his head comfortably on account of extra material
 
 THE FIRS T DEGREE. 45 
 
 placed inside the lining band so as to narrow the aperture 
 to the required size. His dainty feet were incased in boots 
 with thin soles, the beveled edges resembling those on 
 dancing shoes or turned pumps ; but in consequence of 
 their legs being nearly as wide as the lower parts of his 
 pantaloons, he was obliged to shake each of them in turn 
 after rising from a seat, in order to force the latter garment 
 into proper position. This he did generally with a good- 
 humored smile on his features, which made people who 
 saw him imagine he had suddenly heard the sounds of dis- 
 tant music and was preparing to start off on a Highland 
 fling. 
 
 It was pleasant to meet him in conversation, on account 
 of his agreeable manner and the quaint appearance of his 
 long, earnest face, ready at all times to exhibit a humorous 
 expression. Though appearing solemn ordinarily, his 
 bursts of tittering laughter were quite frequent, showing 
 the light nature of his thoughts and the aptitude in him 
 for sudden transitions from the meditative to the mirthful 
 mood. His manner was also distinguished by another 
 peculiarity worthy of notice. If, from any want of power, 
 his jovial nature failed to assert itself at the proper mo- 
 ment, he manufactured for the occasion what people call 
 a forced laugh, taking the usual risks as to whether his 
 action proved satisfactory or otherwise. It is doubtful in 
 which of the two characters he appeared more interesting 
 the one while showing the gravity of a rook, or the 
 other the gayety of a sparrow. His power of mimicry was 
 uncommonly high, and only needed cultivation to make 
 him a stage light in the absence of stars. 
 
 The store in which the speculative ingenuity of this 
 interesting specimen of humanity found vent was of primi-
 
 46 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 tive design and construction, built of rough lumber, the 
 dimensions being about twelve by fifteen feet with an 
 apartment in the rear utilized as a dwelling place. This 
 inner circle, or rectangular space, of domestic accommo- 
 dation was no great model of exquisite taste in regard to 
 furniture or art decorations, although something of the 
 kind was attempted by the occupant with the articles in his 
 possession. 
 
 A rudely constructed bed stood in one corner, covered 
 by a patchwork comforter, a rare design showing in detail 
 the flags of all nations in their regular colors. A bolster, 
 round and capacious, with ends protruding on each side, 
 resembled the nosebag commonly used in feeding horses, 
 as if the head accustomed to roll upon it during the slum- 
 bers of the night was as large as that of the Cardiff giant 
 instead of Whifton's little cranium. In the center of the 
 room appeared a small table, two and a half by four feet, 
 flanked by a couple of hard-bottomed chairs ; and near the 
 head of it was a stove calculated to accommodate, in flush 
 times, a frying pan and teakettle, as well as afford heat to 
 the entire establishment during the cold season, while the 
 door between the business and living apartments remained 
 open. The walls were covered with clippings from news- 
 papers, exhibiting descriptions of political discussions, 
 scientific lectures, humorous anecdotes, accounts of execu- 
 tions, and pictures of famous men or noted criminals ; but 
 a miniature bust of Washington had been placed on a 
 shelf in a conspicuous position so as to convince the inci- 
 dental visitor, or, indeed, the world at large, of Whifton's 
 patriotism and love for the truly great American household 
 god whom it represented. 
 
 Egress from the room was attainable either by a door
 
 THE FIRS7^ DEGREE. 47 
 
 leading into the store or by one on the west side, and 
 light by means of a four-paned window opposite, which 
 had coiled above it a blue blind with a yellow tassel. On 
 an upper shelf near the ceiling there had been deposited a 
 collection of miscellaneous articles for safe keeping, whose 
 identity became known only when the owner took down 
 each in turn to examine its character and take comfort 
 from the memories thereby awakened. 
 
 Like two other houses in the vicinity, the gable of the 
 Whifton establishment could be readily seen from the 
 public highway, with a sign bearing the legend "Hard- 
 ware and Notions," a phrase difficult to interpret, es- 
 pecially by the foreign immigrant, who had no notion 
 whatever of its far-reaching significance. It must have 
 appeared strange, also, why this man did not offer his 
 wares for sale in Omaha, but they knew not of Whifton's 
 intention of taking the trade before reaching competition 
 at that point. 
 
 Besides an assortment of minor articles of the character 
 indicated by his signboard, he carried a stock of goods 
 manufactured by the Indians, such as purses decorated 
 with colored beads, slippers, workbaskets, pouches, and 
 other trifles, which travelers readily purchased as souvenirs 
 of their journey. He had also society badges, cards, 
 dominoes, prayer books, watch charms, oraculums, and 
 almanacs. 
 
 Living here a few years content with his small profits, 
 the current of his sober thoughts was suddenly changed on 
 hearing in Omaha how it was contemplated sending a line 
 of railroad across the continent through that village and 
 that the great western highway would be discontinued for 
 the more expeditious one trodden by the iron horse. Al-
 
 48 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 though fearing notoriety and the inconveniences generally 
 encountered in a crowd, he gradually became reconciled 
 to the prospect of this inevitable change and resolved to 
 await its coming with all the consequences following its 
 advance. 
 
 When the evidence of progress, or prosperity, began to 
 appear on every side, and the influx of strangers made 
 business lively, so that even the small coffers of the wayside 
 store became periodically full of coin, his ideas underwent 
 still further modifications, threatening to make him alto- 
 gether a different man from the individual' known some 
 years before as Whifton. From being purse-proud he 
 began to entertain thoughts of future greatness. Ambition 
 was developed in him simultaneously with avarice, which 
 clutched at his soul. 
 
 It was noticed at this time that he stood more erect than 
 formerly, puffed out his breast in an elaborate curve that 
 even surprised himself, and shook his boots with the pride 
 of one destined to reach a great future. Down in the 
 depths of his mind aspirations nourished by a vivid imag- 
 ination took root and began to grow. He had never held 
 a public office ; but now, in this new country, where the 
 light of success had so signally brightened his way, he 
 would move upward in the social scale of society and 
 make position a stepping-stone to permanent preferment 
 and perhaps to distinction. Gads ! how he laughed at the 
 idea! In the first place, he would speculate on becoming a 
 deputy sheriff, and, after acquiring fame in that capacity, 
 go forward for county clerk or inspector of Indian reser- 
 vations. He could inspect anything well enough, he 
 thought. 
 
 Reflections on these important phases of his future
 
 THE S'/A'ST DEGREE. 49 
 
 career, however, were insignificant compared to one 
 standing nearer his heart. Whenever he thought of it, 
 his eyes twinkled with peculiar luster, a tinge of bloom 
 came into his cheeks, and he felt himself rise on the tops 
 of his boots, as if nature through forcible circumstances 
 was persuading him to assume a taller attitude. Oh ! how 
 secretly did he revolve that golden hallucination in his 
 mind during long, dreary hours alone, while the night came 
 over the bluffs of Iowa and bent its ear to the western sea 
 across the great plains of Nebraska ! He was not young, 
 having passed the meridian of thirty-five; but many a 
 man began the real enjoyment of life at a much later date, 
 and the hope of his future acquisitions strengthened him 
 in the belief of acquiring what he desired. No one 
 would suspect him of folly or improvidence, but, above 
 all, nobody imagined him in love, and yet this was his 
 condition. He loved Judge Finnestare's daughter, of 
 Omaha, on sight, without calculating the chances or the 
 consequences ! This was his daydream. 
 
 It was singular the possibility of a refusal never entered 
 his mind; and, what was still more surprising, he formed 
 no definite plan for the accomplishment or realization of 
 his wishes in this respect. He was mentally active, but 
 passive in action. Like Danderton, he loved the lady in 
 secret, but postponed the time of declaring his passion, 
 through cowardice or some unaccountable fascination pe- 
 culiar to cases of this nature. In his loneliness he had 
 been comforted by the bright vision the thoughts of her 
 invoked, like a bankrupt merchant who hopes to rectify 
 his financial embarrassment sometime, when his ship comes 
 in, although having none at sea. The ideal proved so ex- 
 quisitely endearing that it almost filled the whole measure
 
 50 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 of his expectations. It is certain if the reality was pre- 
 sented to him, if Grace Finnestare came to his door with 
 a notification that the minister was awaiting their presence 
 in church with the view of uniting them in the holy bonds 
 of matrimony, he, Crow Whifton, would beat a precipi- 
 tate retreat through the back door and abandon the country 
 altogether, so strange are the vagaries of nature in her 
 sweet moods on minds too weak to carry the burden of 
 her favors. 
 
 One night after closing the store, as Whifton sat in his 
 antique apartment meditating on the several gradations of 
 opulence through which he was destined to pass in the 
 future, some person knocked on the side door for admis- 
 sion. Believing it to be an acquaintance who frequently 
 came to converse with him at that hour, he promptly in- 
 vited the visitor to come in. Responding to this invitation, 
 there stood in the doorway not the neighborly form of his 
 friend, however, but the tall figure of a man whose face 
 was concealed by the collar of his overcoat and the leaf of 
 a slouched hat drawn closely over his brow, and who 
 entered and seated himself without being asked, with as 
 much deliberation as if the place were his own. 
 
 In an instant Whifton concluded that the stranger's 
 object, calling in such guise, was robbery, and began to 
 sum up, with the rapidity peculiar to distresseJ minds in 
 such cases, the several methods and means of deiensc* at 
 his command. To begin with, his revolver was just then 
 under the counter of the store and could not be reached 
 without exciting suspicion of his intention ; the cane 
 sword brought from the East lay snugly confined in the 
 bottom of his trunk under the bed ; the butcher knife 
 which served for all kinds of carving had been lent that
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 51 
 
 afternoon to a neighbor who needed the implement for the 
 purpose of dressing a hog ; and his razor was en the high 
 shelf and could not be made available without the aid of 
 a stepladder. Hence, to all intents and purposes, he was 
 at the mercy of this intruder, whose mien betokened un- 
 common strength of will, and who doubtless carried con- 
 cealed weapons for forcing obedience to his desires. 
 
 The newcomer, observing the expression of fear on Whif- 
 ton's face, hastened to explain the nature of his business. 
 
 " I want a little information on a few subjects," he said. 
 "People tell me you are as well posted in many ways 
 as a scholar, and I thought I would drop in and hear what 
 you could do for me." 
 
 This fair speech almost disarmed Whifton of evil 
 thoughts regarding the stranger. He felt fla-ttered on ac- 
 count of the confidence reposed in him as a man of 
 knowledge, which coincided exactly with his own estimate 
 of himself, yet the man's muffled face and sinister aspect 
 drove him back into the first position held respecting his 
 character ; namely, that there was danger associated with 
 his presence then and there. He answered : 
 
 "It is nice of you to think so. I can assure you the 
 people in the East felt that my coming in here was a dead 
 loss to them. However, by the bye, I thought I saw you 
 pass my place a few days ago ; so many are on the move 
 now that we cannot place them." 
 
 The stranger paid no attention to this hint to reveal 
 himself. He merely resumed the delivery of what he in- 
 tended saying in the first place. 
 
 " I shall pay you for your advice as I would a doctor or 
 a lawyer. Now, the first question is of a delicate nature. 
 It is this : how can a man approach the lady he loves
 
 52 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 so as to make her understand the feelings he entertains for 
 her?" 
 
 Whifton's heart began to palpitate violently on hearing 
 this unexpected announcement, for it called up in his own 
 mind exactly what he desired most to know. However, 
 instead of making reply, he allowed the gravity of his 
 countenance to assert itself thoroughly, and, assuming a 
 listening attitude, waited the stranger's further interroga- 
 tories. 
 
 "Would it be wise to send her a deputy?" asked the 
 stranger. 
 
 "No, sir; that would give the matter away," said Whif- 
 ton. "Besides, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred 
 the deputy would make love to her himself." 
 
 " Do you recommend saluting her in public or winking 
 an eye at her as she passes, so as to have her understand 
 you were up to something? " 
 
 " By no means; the boldness of such acting might give 
 her the impression you were a mere bummer without means 
 or character. " 
 
 " How do you regard walking in front of her with a 
 manly swagger? " 
 
 " In a favorable light; although, if the swagger is very 
 much put on, she might believe you were a fool. Now 
 tell me," continued Whifton, "are you the man in love?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Does the lady of your affection reside anywhere in the 
 neighborhood?" 
 
 The stranger raised the forefinger of his left hand and 
 pointed in the direction of Omaha. 
 
 "Ah! I understand," said Whifton, while an unusual 
 pallor overspread his countenance as if he had been seized
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 53 
 
 by a death sickness. "It is the banker's daughter, no 
 doubt?" 
 
 "You are correct," replied the stranger promptly, al- 
 though no name had been mentioned. Whifton resumed 
 in a weak voice : 
 
 " The Judge? " to which the other replied : 
 
 "The same." 
 
 " Do you meet her in society? " 
 
 "No." 
 
 " You are not even acquaintances ? " 
 
 "No." 
 
 " You love her in secret, but hope to get her somehow? " 
 
 "That is it." 
 
 Whifton said something to himself in an undertone, but 
 presently straightened up in a cheerful manner before 
 asking the next question. Then, as he spoke, he bent 
 forward towards his companion. 
 
 " Have you a rival? " he inquired. 
 
 " I guess not," answered the man gruffly, and he added : 
 "I would not tolerate one." 
 
 "You'd make it hot for him?" 
 
 "You bet." 
 
 After some reflection Whifton said : 
 
 " If I were you, I would not be afraid of the rival, but 
 of a third man." 
 
 " There ain't no rival or third man, I tell you," answered 
 the stranger in an angry voice. 
 
 Whifton raised his hand impressively as if counseling 
 peace, while he resumed : 
 
 "Don't be deceived; there is always a third man in 
 such cases, a kind of dark horse that gets in between the 
 other two. It is really so."
 
 54 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " But where is the second man?" inquired the stranger 
 boldly. 
 
 " Ah ! I suppose I believe I think you are right 
 where is he? " stammered Whifton, unable to make out a 
 clear sentence with his mind engaged in connecting his 
 own personality with the second man. 
 
 " Hearing the case as I have stated it," said the stranger, 
 " what would you advise? " 
 
 Whifton, assuming an air of importance, as if already 
 on the bench, answered : 
 
 "Wait, be patient, do nothing to disturb the object of 
 your love, and keep a sharp lookout for the coming of the 
 third man. Mark my words, it never fails." 
 
 The stranger seemed inclined to regard this decision as 
 a joke, for he laughed incredulously, like one making a 
 virtue of necessity, and then began the introduction of his 
 second subject. 
 
 "You understand how to mix substances in order to 
 produce a combination that will explode? " 
 
 "I did know something of the kind/' said Whifton 
 evasively, "but I don't think I do now." 
 
 On hearing this, the mirth of the strange guest acquired 
 a mocking tone such as smote his companion's heart with 
 dread ; and Whifton, following, executed some sounds of 
 forced merriment that were palpably at variance with the 
 genuine article. 
 
 "I have heard of your pleasant manner, too," con- 
 tinued the man. "It is handy, somehow, when a fellow 
 ain't in a hurry ; but take a friend's advice don't trifle with 
 me. When I want a thing, I want it sure." 
 
 This language changed the aspect of the subject under 
 discussion at once. Whifton saw he must give the infor-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 55 
 
 mation desired or suffer the consequences of refusal, and 
 he thought an instant on all that such knowledge involved. 
 His reflections astounded him ; for if Grace Finnestare 
 refused the man, as, of course, she would, he might be 
 driven to commit some fearful act of violence. In the 
 dilemma here presented, Whifton called to mind an advice 
 given by his grandfather in early life which was worthy of 
 trial. "My boy," said he, "whenever you find yourself 
 in a tight place, prevaricate, and never mind what people 
 say to the contrary." With this purpose in view the little 
 storekeeper answered, assuming a serious countenance : 
 
 "Oh! of course, we'll talk it over among ourselves. 
 Isn't gunpowder lively enough for you?" 
 
 The last sentence finished with a laugh, but the stranger 
 did not seem to have been moved in a similar manner ; he 
 replied : 
 
 "It ain't strong enough. People know it on sight. 
 It's hard to carry around, and to blow it off requires a 
 lighted fuse, or, if in a weapon, a percussion cap. I'm in 
 search of something a small quantity of which would rip 
 a brick or stone building from garret to cellar in an in- 
 stant. ' ' 
 
 As if this had been the most pleasing announcement 
 imaginable, Whifton tittered in his usual style ; then sud- 
 denly turning grave, answered : 
 
 " You're in the business? " 
 
 "If I am, it's no business of yours." 
 
 "Quite right. It is really so; but such an article as 
 you describe is not on the market." 
 
 " Is not the method of making it, known ? " 
 
 "Yes no," replied Whifton hesitatingly. "I don't 
 understand what you want or have reference to."
 
 56 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "Look here," said the stranger, "I'll give fifty dollars 
 for the way to manage the best kind of stuff there is. Now 
 be quick." 
 
 "It is the easiest thing in the world to tell you how to 
 prepare gun cotton," answered the other, " but you would 
 find it unsatisfactory. The same ingredients, two acids 
 mixed, with glycerin added, give us a powerful agent 
 such as you need, named nitroglycerin. Mind you, this 
 fact is known only to a few persons outside the discoverer, 
 an Italian of Turin. It would not be safe for you to 
 attempt making it, even if you knew how ; you would be 
 blown sky-high in no time, because the least irregularity 
 would cause the explosion to take place. There is another 
 preparation made from the one just mentioned, the great- 
 est of all, called dynamite. That's the daisy ! The only 
 chance of getting it would be this : I might send to the 
 discoverer for a small quantity and offer him large pay 
 with the prospect of being refused or, by the bye, how 
 would a mixture of a bursting character prepared from 
 druggists' chemicals suit you ? ' ' 
 
 "I'm in for it," answered the stranger with alacrity. 
 
 "It is innocent-looking, a white powder no one would 
 suspect dangerous." 
 
 The unwelcome visitor drew a notebook from his coat 
 pocket and made preparation to write down the items of 
 the important mixture. 
 
 " I shall take that one," he said hurriedly and decisively. 
 
 Whifton now felt he had gone a little too far in permit- 
 ting the stranger to determine on selecting a definite 
 article or compound. He parried the thrust with as much 
 adroitness as possible by saying :
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 57 
 
 " I did not intend mentioning I knew the parts of it; 
 and the truth is, I forget all about them." 
 
 The stranger moved uneasily in his seat like one whose 
 mind is suddenly disturbed. Opening the notebook and 
 touching a page with the pencil, he continued : 
 
 "Go on, my little man. Let me not try to assist your 
 memory by force, for if I do you will think there are 
 sparks of fire flying around the room in short order. No 
 more fooling." 
 
 "What I said is the best that can be done at present," 
 returned Whifton. 
 
 Then the stranger grew wrathful. Striking the table 
 with his closed hand, he shouted rather than said : 
 
 "Go on, I say." 
 
 Whifton turned pale. He began trembling^ and for an 
 instant directed his thoughts to his weapons of defense; 
 but was obliged to conclude that, even if they were avail- 
 able, it would be useless to contend against so powerful 
 an antagonist as this mysterious man. Hence, although 
 determined to resist the disclosure to the last and doubtful 
 how he could evade it, he began the enumeration of the 
 items of the secret mixture. 
 
 " Take yellow prussiate of potash, dried in iron ladle 
 and powdered carefully in a mortar, thirty-seven parts ; 
 chlorate of potash, finely pulverized, forty-one parts. 
 Now," he continued, placing the forefinger of his right 
 hand against the side of his head as if desirous of conjuring 
 up lucidity of mind in the case before him, " let me see, 
 what is the third chemical? Aye, there's the stickler. 
 Who would think I could forget so soon ? It is really so ; 
 I have forgotten it." 
 
 The stranger, who had written in his notebook the
 
 58 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 ingredients mentioned by Whifton, arose to his feet, and, 
 seizing his companion by the shoulder, shook him until his 
 little head oscillated like the pendulum of a clock. After 
 being released from the iron grasp of the stranger, Whifton 
 managed to say : 
 
 " You will pay dearly for this outrage; see if you don't." 
 " Make no threats to me, my little man ; the business 
 must be completed now, or I ain't nobody." 
 
 "I am not a professor," resumed Whifton in despera- 
 tion. "The people who make out that I know all about 
 explosives have no grounds for their belief. It is mere 
 hearsay. I may tellyou in confidence that I got the whole 
 thing, such as it is, from a crank, one of those so-called 
 revolutionary spirits who calculate on reducing the world 
 to ashes just for fun. Accidentally some of his notes fell 
 into my hands. While he was in prison, his trunk was held 
 by my folks in part payment for his board bill. On open- 
 ing it, ma found a few old clothes, a number of newspapers, 
 and a manuscript. Disappointed in her expectations, she 
 dumped the whole collection into the ash barrel, from 
 which I extracted the last-named article, being curious to 
 understand what such a man had collected or written." 
 
 "Have you that document now? " inquired the stran- 
 ger, eagerly. 
 
 " Well," answered Whifton, "I had it then." 
 "Ah! my little trickster?" returned the unknown, 
 " you're very smart, ain't you? I'll bet a nickel I could 
 find it if I tried hard enough. Now, get that document 
 for me, and we'll call it square. I'll pay for it. More- 
 over, I may say the crank, as you call him, is the kind of 
 man I wish to follow. I'll take up his work and push it 
 through for all it's worth; so be lively."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 59 
 
 " I cannot say actually that I have it," said Whifton, 
 "but I'll tell you what can be done : wait until tomorrow, 
 and in the meantime I'll try and find it among my 
 papers. ' ' 
 
 The man laughed in derision at this proposition. The 
 acknowledgment made in his presence that there was secret 
 information of great value in the house, of the kind for 
 which his soul had yearned for years, roused up the latent 
 ferocity of his nature and urged him to the commission of 
 a desperate deed. With his left hand he caught Whifton 
 by the throat, and, drawing a keen-pointed dagger from his 
 waist belt, held it high above him, saying as he did so: 
 
 " Now or never. I cannot trust you. Give up the 
 papers or your life ! ' ' 
 
 Then the little man felt that the end was near. He 
 breathed hard, rolled his eyes upward and muttered some- 
 thing that might be mistaken for a prayer, if it had not 
 been for the word prevaricate, which was quite audible and 
 of doubtful orthodoxy. Before the dagger descended, the 
 arm of the man who held it was clutched by a strange 
 hand, and pushed violently backward. Then a dark figure 
 insinuated itself between the assailant and assailed, while a 
 low, guttural voice exclaimed : 
 
 "Ah! what foolhardy trick is this? Didn't I tell you 
 never attempt injury to the helpless? There ain't no good 
 in my rules, anyhow. Now, don't tempt me too far. Get 
 out of here." 
 
 As Whifton's disagreeable customer stepped through the 
 door, his companion, the new arrival, who was also dis- 
 guised, turning to the storekeeper, said : 
 
 "Don't take any notice of him; he has a shingle off.
 
 60 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 We have to keep him out of mischief, but he would not 
 harm anybody." 
 
 Whifton raised a finger and shook it in a threatening 
 manner, which was understood to mean that he would pros- 
 ecute the offender to the full extent of the law. 
 
 " We can compromise here, now," returned the man, at 
 the same time throwing off his disguise and revealing the 
 pale face of Hamilton Hitch to Whifton. 
 
 "As there has been no injury done to you or your prop- 
 erty, the affair may be kept secret. He is my son. Now, 
 here is twenty dollars as compensation for intruding on 
 your premises, with the understanding that the case is 
 settled. Do you consent ?" 
 
 Whifton, who was gifted with good business talent, 
 readily caught the gist of the proposition made by the 
 father, that the attempted outrage by the son should be kept 
 secret for the consideration of twenty dollars. Hence his 
 answer was promptly given : 
 
 " Never you mind. There will be nothing said of the 
 encounter. You're a gentleman, and a bargain is a bar- 
 gain," said he. 
 
 Then Hamilton Hitch turned and fled into the night. 
 
 When the noise of the retreating footsteps ceased, Whif- 
 ton arose, and, carefully bolting all the doors and windows, 
 drew his couch out some distance from the wall, lest any 
 sharp instrument should be designedly pushed through it 
 with an evil intention ; and prepared to rest under the 
 clothing, and, if possible, under the circumstances. For 
 hours he slept not. The peculiar expression on the feat- 
 ures he had last seen haunted his mental vision Distressed 
 resignation, mingled with ferocity and far-reaching knowl- 
 edge of unlawful designs, were there, besides the traces of
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 61 
 
 time's unrelenting decadence tinctured by melancholy. 
 He had seen the man frequently in Omaha, but had heard 
 nothing of his history or calling. Even now he believed 
 him a citizen trying to do good under adverse marks and 
 incidents of nature for which he was not responsible. 
 Shortly after reaching this conclusion, Whifton slept. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A PREDICTION VERIFIED. 
 
 E5T the visitors of the previous night should return 
 and demand the money given him on the occasion 
 mentioned in the last chapter, Whifton determined on 
 adding it to his cash deposit in the bank at Omaha without 
 delay. The business principle represented by savings was 
 wisely observed by him, whatever might be said of his 
 want of judgment in other respects. In connection with 
 this frugal practice he made it a rule to remove the money 
 in the house or on his person to a place of greater safety 
 when the sum of his gains went over twenty dollars. The 
 amount reserved for exchange purposes, some fractional 
 currency, if seized forcibly, or stolen, could not be re- 
 garded as much loss. Under these arrangements he often 
 surprised people by his fearless light-heartedness. With 
 his money safe, his spirit was enabled to float above the 
 common circumstances of life, like a cork on the surface of 
 water or a bird seeking extra delight in the brightness of 
 the morning air. It was a little method, but its results 
 were incalculable for good to the individual practicing it. 
 
 The facilities available for reaching the commercial 
 center of the district were ample, several stages passing his
 
 62 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 place daily, besides other vehicles at longer intervals 
 driven by men of his acquaintance who would gladly give 
 him a ride for the sake of his good company. Hence, 
 after a light breakfast of crushed maize, coffee, and pan- 
 cakes, he posted the ambiguous sign on the door/' Will be 
 back," and rode off to Omaha on the first up stage. 
 
 While his face exhibited traces of excitement, no one 
 heard him utter a word during the journey, for he avoided 
 the box seat and merely nodded to a few passengers in 
 front of him. The debate with himself on the pending 
 question carried forward from last night was too absorbing 
 personally to admit of rehearsal before any audience, how- 
 ever sympathetic it might prove to be. The little man 
 with his inflated breast and grandiloquent estimate of 
 himself had a huge subject to deal with, and he felt its im- 
 portance. The ground broken in the case, metaphorically 
 speaking, was too ticklish, he thought, for ordinary banter, 
 but required the most careful analysis on his own part 
 before being carried under the attention of strangers or 
 acquaintances. It was evident if his side of the compact 
 were not honestly observed by absolute silence the dark 
 strangers could retaliate at any time, when it was certain 
 he would fare worse than before. The vindication of the 
 law might be a good thing, but the saving of his life 
 seemed to him better. Hence, whatever resolutions he 
 had previously formed of consulting the sheriff in that part 
 of Iowa or the authorities in Omaha, in view of the dan- 
 gerous tendency of the times were now set aside so as to 
 keep within the bounds of prudence and agreement. 
 
 Besides, he was a winner. The gold piece in his pocket 
 was testimony of that fact, as well as that the secrets con- 
 cerning explosives were still unrevealed. Furthermore, he
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 63 
 
 had discovered an admirer of Grace Finnestare a danger- 
 ous character, no doubt, seeing the nature of his designs 
 and he had scored a great point in recommending that the 
 stranger should not do anything tending to interfere with 
 her freedom or prosperity. Instead of being cold in his 
 coffin, as any other man would be in similar circumstances, 
 he, Whifton, had received a handsome compensation and 
 was guaranteed immunity from further assault. Menaced 
 on the one hand, he was raised to the height of exultation 
 on the other. To what power or condition might he 
 ascribe such fortune ? Plainly to no other than the golden 
 rule of his grandfather in regard to the utility of prevarica- 
 tion. When Whifton reached this conclusion, he chuckled 
 so violently that his hat was almost shaken off his head ; 
 but, owing to the lurching of the stage, the phenomenon 
 passed unnoticed. 
 
 Arriving in Omaha, he directed his steps to the bank, a 
 one-story wooden structure in the northern part of the 
 principal street, conducted, as before remarked, by Judge 
 Finnestare. In a -pleasant manner he stepped daintily on 
 the threshold and looked in. He stopped. He opened 
 his mouth in wonder at what he beheld. The two large 
 safes were there as formerly, the polished counter, the plain 
 walls, and the low ceiling ; but in the apartment adjoining 
 the bank and opening into it as if intending to be an 
 inner sanctum, he saw a young man of comely appearance 
 chatting gaily if not lovingly to Grace Finnestare. 
 
 This appearance, meeting him without premeditation, 
 smote his heart like a concussion of atmospheric air after 
 an explosion. Whifton seemed chained to the spot on 
 which he stood. In his earnest gaze at the lady he secretly 
 loved, there was a troubled aspect. It appeared as if he
 
 64 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 saw death incarnate, instead of beauty. His prediction 
 of yesterday was verified today. The third man was here. 
 He had come even precipitately, like a sudden squall that 
 drives ships to refuge, or a cyclone which buries towns in 
 the dust. Oh ! why did he not consider this phase of the 
 case for his poor heart, or why did he foolishly imagine 
 that Grace Finnestare would remain isolated from the 
 companionship of gentlemen on his account and she ig- 
 norant of his feelings or his love ? 
 
 Seated near the window, where her smiles fell upon him 
 simultaneously with the sunlight, was the person whose 
 presence aroused all the grief and the surprise in Whif- 
 ton's mind. Judged without prejudice, he was a noble- 
 looking man, the equal of Grace Finnestare in appearance 
 and education. To say that he was handsome would 
 merely record the fact without explicitly defining the 
 circumstances. There was a look of sterling worth in the 
 clearness of his eyes and the broad, manly features of his 
 face, as well as a firmness of purpose in the poise of the 
 head that could not be misapprehended: The thorax, or 
 breast, was fully developed, showing muscular power and 
 force in action. The lower limbs tapered gracefully down- 
 ward, and the extremities, upper and lower, were exqui- 
 sitely proportioned to the size of the man. In his slippers 
 he must have stood over six feet. His hair was black, but 
 the complexion appeared remarkably fair, illuminated as it 
 was with lustrous brown eyes and occasionally a genial 
 smile. He was dressed in plain clothes, whose neatness 
 and cut gave ample opportunity to exhibit his admirable 
 developments of person to advantage without being in the 
 least degree obtrusive. 
 
 In all that Whifton saw, he read the death knell of his
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 65 
 
 plans and hopes. If there were further evidence neces- 
 sary, their animated conversation in his hearing was suffi- 
 cient proof. How glibly they spoke and laughed ! as if 
 there were no world outside the apartment where they 
 met, or an individual with a consciousness half paralyzed 
 with pain, whose aspirations, after a blissful state, had gone 
 down forever. 
 
 Advancing mechanically to the interior of the bank, 
 Whifton, while placing his twenty dollars on the counter, 
 was greeted in a kindly manner by Judge Finnestare, ques- 
 tioned about his health (for he looked poorly), and en- 
 couraged to prosecute his business operations further, as 
 wealth was sure to come with the growth of enterprise. 
 
 "I often wondered," said the Judge, " why you did not 
 come to Omaha and bring your business with you, imagin- 
 ing you could do better here than at the crossroads on the 
 other side; but as often have I desisted from mentioning 
 the matter, on account of noticing how well you do in your 
 present location. Now, for instance, your deposit today, 
 coming so soon after the one at the close of last month, 
 shows conclusively that my opinions on the subject of re- 
 moval were not well founded ; or else that credit is due to 
 your superior management in a situation where few men 
 would be able to make money." 
 
 As a matter of course, Judge Finnestare had not the 
 least suspicion or idea how Whifton came by the last 
 twenty dollars ; and, in any case, our little trader heard 
 but a moiety of the speech. The sounds of voices were in 
 his ears that smote his spirit like a two-edged sword. His 
 mind wandered to other scenes, endeavoring, no doubt, to 
 find one that might afford him some relief in the present 
 distress. The vision of his strange visitors also came up
 
 66 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 as if to direct the character of his answer, and with it the 
 word prevaricate; yet, rousing himself by an effort, he 
 merely said : " It is really so, Judge, it is really so." Then 
 he turned and left the place. 
 
 Whifton was desirous of meeting his friend Flanks 
 Honeybone, the night watchman, so as to glean from him 
 the truth regarding the new acquaintance of Grace Finnes- 
 tare, whose presence gave him so much uneasiness and 
 proved to be a most disquieting indication of future 
 trouble. Turning suddenly to the right, he noticed a man 
 standing near the door, who, though busied with a note- 
 book and pencil, could have heard what he, Whifton, had 
 said in the bank without being suspected of listening. As 
 his secret was as secure as the money, he rather felt a pride 
 in saluting this man, who was no other than the notorious 
 Hamilton Hitch. 
 
 Seeing Whifton enter the town, he had pursued him to 
 ascertain if he would or would not betray him and his son 
 while placing the bribe in a place of safety. As the con- 
 duct of Whifton proved satisfactory, Hamilton Hitch re- 
 turned his salute and added the usual compliments of the 
 season in appropriate language. Whifton said to himself 
 as he directed his steps downtown : " Somehow I have 
 a liking for that man. I think him very honorable, and 
 feel sure he would make a reliable commissioner or superior 
 judge. He is very considerate." 
 
 Although obliged to witness vast improvements in 
 Omaha, some little attention was paid to them on this 
 occasion, until the meeting with Honeybone, which took 
 place about two o'clock in the afternoon. At that hour 
 the night watchman was accustomed to step jauntily from 
 the door of a cheap boarding house, where he roomed and
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 67 
 
 boarded, in the southern end of town, and, seeking the 
 main thoroughfare, parade its entire length in holiday at- 
 tire for the purpose of showing his patrons what a live 
 man he was at that time of day. This movement in view 
 of an appreciative public he called " taking a spin." 
 
 Honeybone was a man over thirty, tall and muscular; 
 fond of rich food, and, in consequence, possessed a fair- 
 sized paunch ; good-natured to a fault, and jolly ; ready 
 and willing to give and take a glass of liquor from a friend 
 as exchange blows with an enemy ; and spending his 
 money with a lavish hand to the extent of his earnings. 
 When you saw him on exhibition in the afternoon of a 
 pleasant day, the most of all his possessions were also in 
 view. His clothing was of the finest material and latest 
 style; the Derby hat was tilted a little on one side of his 
 head ; his boots were highly polished ; he wore a seven- 
 dollar ring on the little finger of his left hand, and a brace 
 of pistols in his hip pockets, comfortably and carefully 
 adjusted. One could see in his mien self-gratification and 
 glorification such as has rarely been detected associated 
 with the man of wealth. Some of his peculiarities seemed 
 suited to his independent character. He would step across 
 the street, for instance, before reaching the regular cross- 
 ing, and abbreviate words in his speech for the purpose of 
 making it agreeable, believing in each case that the shortest 
 way was generally the straightest. 
 
 The greeting extended to Whifton on the present occa- 
 sion was a genuine outburst of pleasure on Honeybone's 
 part. 
 
 "Whif, my old friend," he said, "glad to meet you. 
 How is biz? Hain't seen you in a dog's age. Guess you've
 
 68 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 been skylarking with the girls at the crossroads. Ain't 
 you spliced yet? " 
 
 Whifton did not attempt to answer these questions cate- 
 gorically or otherwise. Raising his forefinger to the middle 
 of Honeybone's breast, and crooking it a little as if about 
 to seize one of the buttons of his coat, he said : 
 
 " I want to have a talk with you." 
 
 This sentence was uttered with such a serious air, un- 
 accompanied by the spasmodic mirth characteristic of the 
 speaker, that his friend readily conceived the necessity of 
 infusing a more ardent spirit into the originator of it, so as 
 to bring him on a par with himself, equality of sentiment 
 on current questions being one of his favorite rules. Hence 
 he suggested : 
 
 " S'pose we take in Cuffins's. Cozy hole that there. 
 Cuffs a daisy at doin' things, you bet. There ain't no 
 small fry on his spread." 
 
 Cuffins's was a saloon a few rods off from where they 
 stood, to which the men repaired: It was famous, accord- 
 ing to the testimony of the night watchman, as a resort for 
 men of small means, or, indeed, of all means, who, while 
 paying for drink, were accommodated with something to 
 eat, gratis, called a lunch. This lunch was eaten off a 
 common dish either by selecting a bit or bite with the 
 fingers or the use of a fork kept near it for indiscriminate 
 use. Whifton would drink nothing stronger than lemon- 
 ade, nor Honeybone other than cocktail. 
 
 It was off the bar where they entered in a small reception 
 room decorated with cheap prints of pugilists and some of 
 the sporting fraternity of a lower order, whose exhibition 
 seemed as necessary to the imbibers of potations as flavor 
 to the drinks. Honeybone's face presented a smile of
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 69 
 
 great sweetness, vulgarized, however, by the red color of 
 his nose, as, taking his glass, he said, " Here's fortune," 
 while his companion seemed wholly intent on studying the 
 phraseology by which he was to open the interview. After 
 some delay he said: 
 
 " You know everybody in Omaha, Flanks? " 
 " I guess so, purty much, 'cept strangers." 
 " The bank is one of the places you have to watch ? " 
 " There ain't no crook livin' as could pull that there pen 
 while I'm round, an' don't you forget it." 
 
 " It would not surprise me to hear of Judge Finnestare 
 selling out his interest in the concern. What makes me 
 think so is this : I saw a man in there today who appeared 
 to be very intimate with the family. It is really so." 
 
 Honeybone burst into a loud laugh at Whifton's method 
 of characterizing the acquaintance of the Finnestares. 
 
 "Oh, him!" he answered. "A youngish sort of 
 feller?" 
 "Exactly." 
 
 " Good-lookin' from his boots up." 
 " There is no denying it. It is really so." 
 " W'y, he's sweet on the daughter, dead stuck on her, 
 an' solid for sure. He ain't goin' to be on the left side. 
 They'll be married." 
 
 Honeybone' s glance was directed through the window of 
 the apartment while uttering these terse sentences, and for 
 sounds he had his ear bent to the tinkling of glasses in the 
 bar, where a second cocktail was being prepared for his 
 use. He had not the least idea of the effect of his words 
 on the mind of his friend ; but they touched Whifton's 
 heart like sharp-pointed daggers. What that little dreamer 
 had anticipated was true. This newcomer referred to by
 
 70 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Honeybone and seen by himself was the lover of Grace 
 Finnestare. The possibility of maintaining a rivalship 
 with him must not be entertained for a moment. It would 
 be preposterous, utterly ridiculous. He made a rapid 
 survey of his exterior appearance, as if to prove the truth 
 of this conclusion. He saw the little boots, the tiny legs, 
 and the miniature breast, which, though prominent, was 
 as frail as a mere eggshell compared with the pronounced 
 manliness and strength of the person seen in the bank; 
 and his hopes went out from his understanding like a light 
 that is suddenly extinguished in the darkness of night ! 
 Furtively he glanced at Honeybone to ascertain if there 
 was any trace in his countenance of love for Grace Fin- 
 nestare, for he supposed that every man seeing her must 
 have been captivated instantaneously, but the scrutiny 
 proved ineffective. The man seemed indifferent to the 
 influence of the rosy god. 
 
 " How wise he is compared with me ! " thought Whifton. 
 "He loves to flash his ring in the eyes of people, to be 
 admired on the street for outside polish worth about five 
 cents a yard, and guzzle the cheap meals of sixth-rate 
 boarding houses until he groans with delight, while I have 
 nothing but a sore heart from the foolishness of loving a 
 'beauty I could never get. I must live through it." 
 
 This honest resolution of making an effort to retrieve his 
 mental equanimity seemed to give him some strength, so 
 that he resumed his inquiries after the bartender had fur- 
 nished the other round, as each order of drinks was called, 
 and left the apartment. 
 
 "Flanks, where has this man in Finnestare's come 
 from?"
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 71 
 
 "Pooh! the Yeast. Hain't they all from it? Noo 
 Yark." 
 
 " Do you suppose I can learn what brought him here, 
 or, rather, what his business is? " 
 
 " He's up to snuff, you bet. Full of biz as an alligator. 
 I guess he knows what he's after." 
 
 " But his business, Flanks? " 
 
 " He dassent tell, himself. The talk is, politics shoved 
 him out here on spec', to navigate somethin' about the 
 border war they're havin' down in Kansas. There ain't 
 no flies on him, nohow." 
 
 " Do you think we will have war, Flanks ? " 
 
 " Naw. How can we? Where'll it come from? No 
 soldiers, no nothin'." 
 
 Thrusting his hands into the pockets of his overcoat as 
 if his extremities were cold, Whifton rose to depart, but at 
 the bar, on the way out, stopped to pay the reckoning as 
 well as to order another cocktail for his friend, taking a 
 cigar for himself in lieu of lemonade. Then as Honey- 
 bone toasted the prosperity of trade at the crossroads and 
 accompanied him to the street, Whifton, presenting the 
 cigar, inquired finally and impressively : 
 
 "What is the name of this strange man, Flanks, in 
 Finnestare's? " 
 
 " They calls him Herondeen, or Herondine, which is 
 purty much the same," answered his companion, seizing 
 the proffered root, nipped the point on one end off with 
 his front teeth, and lighting a match, began to smoke. 
 
 As this new pleasure seemed to produce the motion 
 necessary to separate from his friend, the two men ex- 
 changed adieus, Honeybone to proceed further on his spin 
 through the city, while Whifton mounted the first stage-
 
 72 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 coach passing to his home. In the morning he had come 
 into Omaha charged with splendid hopes in a visionary 
 future that even magnified the beauty of the landscape 
 through which he passed ; now he was going out feeling 
 that all these sources of ecstasy were lost to him forever, 
 as if blasted by the fury of a mysterious storm beyond the 
 confines of his thoughts. The verdure of the trees of his 
 planting had been stricken by fire from the clouds when 
 their bloom promised to decorate the pathway in his last 
 years on earth. He saw nothing but the diminution of 
 glory in the physical aspect of inanimate objects where 
 formerly he had been entranced by their effulgence. The 
 sunshine appeared to have grown darker than usual ; the 
 distant prospect devoid of interest; and his own home 
 drooped apparently in an insignificant manner as if con- 
 scious of the misery to which its owner had been reduced. 
 Entering the house in a half-crazed manner, he threw 
 himself into a seat exclaiming : " Oh, God ! how desolate 
 I am ! It is really so. Spare me a little." 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 WHERE TWO CURRENTS MEET. 
 
 DANDERTON HITCH was surprised in the midst of 
 his industrious calculations by the presence of the 
 stranger in Omaha whom the night watchman had called 
 Herondine. This was his first experience with the pro- 
 found unknown where immaterial circumstance struck him 
 like a material body. The incident did not seem to war- 
 rant uneasiness, for Danderton was then ignorant of Her- 
 ondine's acquaintance with Grace Finnestare and knew
 
 TJJE FIR SI DEGREE. 73 
 
 nothing whatever of his business antecedents. Intuition 
 gave him the cue. It was when Herodine first entered the 
 city and Danderton seemed on the eve of possessing almost 
 everything the world could afford. 
 
 In compliance with the custom of business men in 
 America, Herondine proceeded to the best hotel to register, 
 so as to announce his arrival, although having other living 
 accommodations in the place, to which he would immedi- 
 ately repair. Danderton was sitting in the office as Heron- 
 dine stepped up to the counter when the accommodating 
 clerk wheeled the book on its pivoted support in order to 
 receive his name. When it was written, Alton B. Heron- 
 dine, with his late residence, New York, the recent arrival 
 turned and encountered the glances of the son of Hamil- 
 ton Hitch. As with bodies that repel each other, there 
 was antagonism between these two men at first sight. The 
 fine finish shown on the person of Herondine seemed to 
 excite contempt in the mind of Danderton. This feeling 
 caused a contraction of his features, which roused the 
 manhood of the person against whom it was directed ; and 
 Danderton, on the other hand, was slowly but systematic- 
 ally scrutinized by the stranger. 
 
 For no reason that anybody could discern, the two men 
 grew wrathful. Danderton arose and walked hurriedly 
 around Herondine, viewing his signature and conducting 
 himself in a manner that would appear as if he meant to 
 intimidate him, but was met with such cool determination 
 and self-confident power that he kept himself at a safe dis- 
 tance. 
 
 It was instructive to see two opposing currents of human 
 thought meet like the tide of the ocean and the flowing of 
 a river. Both men were fine specimens of manhood,
 
 74 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 physically, but in all other respects the contrast between 
 them was remarkable. Herondine might be selected to 
 represent the beauty of morning, while Danderton would 
 be assigned to the gloomy night. 
 
 Danderton's intuition gave the warning note. " If this 
 man meets Grace Finnestare, all is lost," it said. Dander- 
 ton saw this plainly of his own accord. It struck him 
 like a sword point. Every movement of Herondine 
 showed the truth of it, and there seemed no doubt there 
 was a rival before him who would cancel all his chances 
 and annihilate all his hopes. It was a dreadful prospect, 
 especially as it resulted from a careful communion with 
 himself whose conviction he could not deny. He even 
 remembered what Whifton had told him about the coming 
 of the third man. "By h ! " he thought, "that little 
 necromancer knows a thing or two." 
 
 It was strange he permitted disturbance of this kind to 
 distress him without sufficient evidence as to its reality. 
 The beauty of a man's person ought not to be an incentive 
 to give an insult. Perhaps the incoming stranger, the 
 immigrant, as he might be called, was married or had left 
 some loved one in the East to whom he would return. 
 
 "Oh! no, no, no," Danderton's heart answered in the 
 negative. 
 
 The mysterious sensation crowding upon him seemed to 
 possess the property of removing all doubts on the ques- 
 tion. Out of the darkness of the unknown the light of 
 truth in this case came to him like a vision or as if it had 
 been flashed by an internal monitor. Nature, that hereto- 
 fore had favored him like a pet boy, now struck him as if 
 he were an adder ! When he trembled as if stricken by 
 palsy, he knew some operator other than error was at
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 75 
 
 work, whose mandate should be obeyed because outside 
 the domain of fiction. Stepping up to Herondine he 
 whispered, so as not to be overheard by others : 
 
 " Who the d are you ? " 
 
 The response was equally explicit and emphatic : 
 
 "Don't be in a hurry, young man; you can learn that 
 soon enough." 
 
 Danderton seemed to get furious. Exclamations of hos- 
 tility in single words or half-formed sentences escaped 
 him as he wheeled and counterwheeled around his an- 
 tagonist, but made no further effort to strike, as Heron- 
 dine's manly form and conduct appeared equal to the 
 occasion and fully qualified to repel an attack. Some of 
 Danderton's acquaintances who came upon the scene at 
 the time, observing his trepidation and fearing trouble, 
 hustled him out of the hotel, while Herondine went quietly 
 about his business. 
 
 It was a period in the history of America when the least 
 indication of a quarrel, if not promptly suppressed, might 
 induce a serious riot. Opposition and bad feeling were in 
 the air like the germs of an epidemic, and people every- 
 where were actually listening for the first sound of war. 
 
 As has been hinted at, Danderton's speculations up to 
 this date seemed sound and encouraging. A large party 
 espoused his journalistic project. He was informed that 
 on such issue he would get all the backing necessary. 
 Some of the people were tired of sermons and wanted any- 
 thing new, no matter what. On this account he would 
 call his paper " The Western Gasconader," and through it 
 spread broadcast all the scandal that could be collected. 
 His residence, too, had been completed and was occupied. 
 The old home at the foothills had been removed, and he
 
 76 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 and his father were frequently seen on the streets or in 
 public places conversing with businessmen on questions of 
 the times. In a few weeks, perhaps days, he was promised 
 an introduction to Grace Finnestare. In the mental per- 
 spective which these incidents created he could discern 
 happiness; but while viewing its glittering aspect, some 
 unseen hand thrust Herondine between him and it, thus 
 shutting the fascinating vision out. 
 
 Explanations followed their first encounter. Herondine 
 received two accounts of Danderton, one intimating that 
 he was a rising young capitalist whose thoroughness and 
 live ideas might be relied on to advance the interests of 
 the city. The other description traced his history back to 
 his boyhood and questioned the integrity of his character, 
 classifying him also as a sport or a person to be feared. 
 
 On the other hand, Danderton was informed that 
 Herondine was an agent of a powerful political party 
 organizing throughout the entire country to give freedom 
 to the slaves and otherwise infringe on the private rights of 
 citizens. As such it was his bounden duty to oppose him. 
 
 Danderton's father became vigorous in sustaining the 
 cause of his son on the above grounds. No one knew his 
 secret motive any more than they were acquainted with 
 the young man's thoughts regarding Grace Finnestare; 
 but he promised all the support at his command. Dander- 
 ton would forgive everything in his rival but acquaintance- 
 ship with the lady of his love. He had not long to wait 
 for the verification of his fears. 
 
 That evening, as he stood inside the curtains of one of 
 the front windows looking westward, he saw two persons 
 walking leisurely a few hundred feet beyond the street in 
 the direction of the low hills heretofore noticed. The
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 77 
 
 sunshine was dying out slowly, but the atmosphere was 
 calm and the fragrance coming in from the great prairie 
 enchanting. The couple proceeded until they reached a 
 prominent point where the distant landscape would appear 
 pleasantly to the sight. Then they remained stationary. 
 It seemed evident from their movements they enjoyed 
 each other's society and were happy. They were good 
 people whose confidence each knew how to value and 
 respect. There was no mistaking their identity. At a 
 glance it could be seen they were Herondine and Grace 
 Finnestare ! 
 
 When first observed, Danderton's gaze became fixed 
 and he felt as if a thunderbolt had fallen upon him. The 
 interior of his heart was stricken by acute pain, as well as 
 that his life or spirit became agitated as if threatened with 
 death. Perspiration stood out on his forehead, while 
 respiration seemed so difficult that he imagined it about to 
 cease altogether. 
 
 The evil in his nature, however, soon came to his 
 assistance. Withdrawing suddenly from the window, he 
 sought a room looking toward the northwest, threw up the 
 sash, rushed to a cupboard, and, picking up a rifle which 
 lay against the wall, began loading it with round shot. 
 One would imagine he beheld a lion whose life he pro- 
 posed taking before it succeeded in its efforts to cross the 
 bluff. The train of ideas started by his passion hurried 
 him forward towards the brink of crime, without the les- 
 sons taught by his father being of any avail. He seemed 
 maddened into a condition beyond the control of his 
 powers. When the rifle was loaded and made ready, he 
 raised it to his shoulder. He aimed ! 
 
 'Ah ! What is this? " he cried, with an oath.
 
 78 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Grace Finnestare was standing between him and Heron- 
 dine! If he fired, she would fall and his rival probably 
 escape. Would he kill the two? "Not yet," he an- 
 swered mentally, while he lowered the weapon to an 
 order arms. At this instant his father entered the apart- 
 ment and became acquainted with the situation and the 
 causes leading to it. Placing his hand on the young 
 man's shoulder, he said : 
 
 " Danderton, I have guarded your safety for many years, 
 but if you did what I think you were going to do I could 
 not save you." 
 
 "I am willing to suffer for this business," replied the 
 son. 
 
 "No. We cannot afford to think so," continued the 
 elder man. " It ought to be fitting for me as a means of 
 reaching a tragic end ; but quite unprofitable for you. 
 There is nothing in it." 
 
 " Can you give me some remedy to satisfy my revengeful 
 disposition a panacea, as they call it and at the same 
 time relieve the fearful pain of my head and heart? " 
 
 After some reflection the father answered : 
 
 " The time and place must be more suitable than these, 
 and the means of a darker kind. Come." 
 
 Danderton followed his father into an apartment which 
 had been set apart as a day room for his accommodation. 
 It was gloomy and secure from all intrusion. Standing 
 a few feet inside the door of this infernal sanctum, the 
 old man spoke in whispers, lest by any possibility his words 
 might be heard outside. 
 
 " When chance favors us, use your own method." 
 
 "How? What?" 
 
 " Dynamite."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 79 
 
 " Ha ! you have tumbled to it. I told you it was first- 
 class." 
 
 "Have the two fall together. On the day of their 
 marriage, for instance, when they are happiest ! " 
 
 " The woman too? " 
 
 " Yes ; and, for the matter of that, the old man her 
 father. It is a great bill a full hand a game worth 
 playing. It must be done so much on the quiet, however, 
 that there will be no chance of discovery, and in the night, 
 when consternation may be added to sensation." 
 
 These words of Hamilton Hitch were delivered rapidly, 
 while traces of foam appeared on his lips and his pale face 
 grew ghastly from excessive feeling. His head moved 
 from side to side like one proud of some remarkable 
 achievement. Danderton did not quail before the terrors 
 awakened by the details of the fiendish plot. Once he 
 trembled while meditating a little on the individuals con- 
 cerned, but by an effort assumed a calm aspect when he 
 said : 
 
 "It is a pity to slay the woman." 
 
 " Chicken ! " remarked the father, contemptuously. 
 
 "You mistake me," resumed Danderton. " I am con- 
 cerned for myself in this case much more than on her 
 account. If the woman is killed, the memory of her will 
 stay with me for sure. I would prefer to be free from such 
 burden ; whereas, if she lives and this man Herondine, her 
 husband that is to be, dies, I may succeed ' ' 
 
 "Don't," said the father, interrupting him. "Let us 
 have no more silly expectation. She would treat you then 
 as she does now with contempt. Who, let me ask you, 
 laughed at your well-meant aspirations and ridiculed your
 
 8.) IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 wishes was it not the woman? Well, then, cut her 
 image from your mind and hate her if nothing else." 
 
 " I could not live," said Danderton slowly, as if by ex- 
 planation, "if she dies in the manner suggested. This 
 remedy would only make matters worse. I might be 
 forced like others to die by my own hand." 
 
 "Think of your prosperity, can't you? The fame 
 awaiting your business enterprise and the popularity fol- 
 lowing our literary efforts in ' The Gasconader.' ' 
 
 "They won't do worth a continental, pap. I'm tor- 
 tured out of all patience." 
 
 The father, grasping his son by the arm so as to be felt, 
 resumed: "Wait. Fight the trouble. Let the woman 
 pass unhurt if you want to, but pursue the man until the 
 opportunity arrives ; then strike and take what chances 
 there may be afterwards. Will that satisfy your appetite? " 
 
 " What am I to do in the meantime? " 
 
 "Work. Rustle. Go into politics, oppose Herondine 
 in all his speculations, and set your mind on marrying an 
 ugly woman. Nothing will cure you if that don't." 
 
 While the young man reflected on the terms of relief as 
 dictated in the foregoing advice, the father proposed the 
 provision of new solace. He resumed : 
 
 " I have something else to tell you, which, after all, is 
 the principal thing. The little man beyond the river, and 
 I, are acquainted. He suspects nothing. It appears 
 certain he will be faithful to the conditions laid down for 
 him. He will supply the dynamite and relieve us of the 
 responsibility, don't you see, should anybody make a fuss 
 over it." 
 
 " Pap, there's no denying the wrinkle. I acknowledge
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 81 
 
 the corn ; you're smart. That's what's the matter, and 
 don't you forget it," said Danderton' joyfully. 
 
 The father continued : 
 
 " When the article is received, place it under the house 
 where Herondine is sleeping. Set the fuse at such length 
 that you may have time to get out of danger before the 
 explosion and return home immediately. In the morning 
 we can join the citizens in offering a reward for the appre- 
 hension of the perpetrators of the outrage ! This will 
 cover our tracks." 
 
 There was a smile on Danderton's face as he returned to 
 the apartment from which he had seen Herondine in com- 
 pany with Grace Finnestare. The hope inspired by his 
 father expanded through the medium of reflection until he 
 was full of his enemy's premature downfall and the glory 
 of ridding the world of him by the new process so little 
 known. On this account, he was not disturbed on seeing 
 Herondine and his companion retrace their steps home- 
 ward as the twilight came over the plains and lovingly 
 folded them in its embrace, as if they needed protection, 
 and finally shut them up in Finnestare's while it deepened 
 into night and disappeared. 
 
 About a week after the events here related there was a 
 large procession in the streets of Omaha. One of its 
 esteemed citizens had naturally gone to his account. Be- 
 sides the friends and acquaintances of the deceased in 
 carriages, many persons fell into line afoot, attracted by 
 the solemnity of the occasion. Among the crowd thus 
 situated was Crow Whifton, from the crossroads at Coun- 
 cil Bluffs. He was alone, so to speak, as it was in the 
 forenoon and the nightwatchman had not yet appeared. 
 The old cemetery in the neighborhood of the city being
 
 82 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 still available, the procession soon reached its destination, 
 and the minister began the reading of the beautiful service 
 of the Episcopal Church amid profound silence and the 
 deep reverence of the spectators. Just as he recited, "I 
 heard a voice from heaven saying " 
 
 "Whifton, my dear pal, I'm with you," interrupted a 
 whispered voice at the little man's elbow, and turning he 
 saw Hamilton Hitch bent forward as if in prayer and with 
 an unctuous appearance on his countenance. 
 
 Again the minister's voice prevailed, saying, "From 
 henceforth now and forever." 
 
 "Amen ! " responded Whifton, as if he had been forced 
 into some declaration of the heart through the nature of 
 his surroundings, and could no longer resist the impulse to 
 be pious like his companion. 
 
 When the services were concluded, the men thus strangely 
 brought together walked into the principal street, where 
 the crowd broke up and dispersed into the ordinary busi- 
 ness community. Hamilton Hitch, concluding a disser- 
 tation on the subject of his love for the company of 
 successful men like Whifton, invited him into a popular 
 restaurant, where he treated him to a sumptuous lunch. 
 While discussing the menu, which had been flanked by a 
 couple of bottles of dry claret, Hitch remarked in an 
 affable manner : 
 
 "The joke of it is, my dear Whifton, that my son 
 wanted a little dynamite to use in his scientific experi- 
 ments, but, fearing public comment, applied to you in the 
 manner we all remember until such time as his investiga- 
 tions were successfully completed. I told him a few days 
 ago I would get it from you or have you send for as much 
 as he required. Its manufacture is known only to a few."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 83 
 
 "Why, certainly," answered Whiflon,"! shall be happy 
 to accommodate you, now that we know each other. It is 
 really so." 
 
 "Remember," continued the elder man, "mum's the 
 word. Let nothing tempt you to give the matter away, 
 because, as you know, science has no relationship with 
 worldly people." 
 
 "Never you mind," returned Whifton, with a friendly 
 nod of his head. " They won't get anything out of me if 
 I know myself." Then, after a little reflection, he con- 
 tinued: "I'll send for it. I have the address of the in- 
 ventor." 
 
 "How long, my dear Whifton, will we have to wait 
 before it comes ? ' ' 
 
 " Let me see; three and three are six, and twenty-one, 
 twenty-seven, three about two months. If not unavoid- 
 ably detained, we may have it here close on to Christmas, 
 say December twentieth." 
 
 " It will be the season for slaughtering ducks and geese," 
 said Hamilton Hitch carelessly. 
 
 " Quite right," returned Whifton, evidently attaching 
 no significance to the words other than their literal mean- 
 ing. 
 
 The repast ended, Whifton was about to rise so as to 
 depart homeward, when his companion made a motion with 
 his hand to detain him. 
 
 " There is one thing more," he said. " Take this token 
 of my esteem in consideration of your faithfulness. Keep 
 it, and if you are ever in a difficulty that I can relieve it 
 will serve you." 
 
 Whifton, glancing at the gift, saw it was a watch charm 
 of triangular shape with some mystic signs on each side.
 
 84 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 It seemed a mixture of precious metals and had an attach- 
 ment to connect it with a chain or ring. 
 
 " I'll wear it," returned Whifton. "Thank you." Then, 
 as the friends separated, Whifton remarked to himself, " I 
 declare ! that new friend of mine is the most agreeable 
 person Lever met. He is liberal, too in fact, open- 
 handed and generous to a turn a real gentleman. It is 
 really so." 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 AN UNGODLY HEIRLOOM. 
 
 A", TON B. HERONDINE, whose appearance in Omaha 
 had created some speculation in regard to the 
 character of his business and future operations, was a New 
 York gentleman of means, legitimately acquired through 
 the industry and economy of his progenitors. His prop- 
 erty for the most part consisted of improved real estate in 
 the neighborhood of Abingdon Square, New York, which, 
 by the way, is a triangular enclosure not far from the 
 junction of West Twelfth Street and Eighth Avenue, 
 showing conclusively that the magnanimous person who 
 undertook to give the place a name was not well versed in 
 the elements of Euclid. 
 
 His father belonged to the Herondines of Hillville, a 
 maritime suburb of a large city on the eastern coast, and 
 claimed direct descent from a celebrated Herondine who, 
 a century before, swam three miles into the open sea for 
 the purpose of recovering his fishpole, accidentally carried 
 out by the tide, and returned safely to land with the 
 precious implement. So far from exhibiting a desire to
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 85 
 
 transmit this part of the family record to future ages, 
 Alton B. repudiated it altogether, asserting that it was a 
 mere travesty on the incapacity of his ancestor, who could 
 not swim at all. 
 
 The Herondine of our day needed no fame of this kind, 
 while his honesty of purpose and generous disposition 
 towards mankind led him to seek the solution of intricate 
 problems associated with the destinies of his country dur- 
 ing his youth. For a long time he wavered between right 
 and wrong, on account of his surroundings; but, persisting 
 in his search, he came to know the truth at last. 
 
 It is necessary to present him to the reader struggling 
 for a knowledge of political science in his New York home. 
 The disintegration, or breaking-up process, which takes 
 place in all families sooner or later, whereby the members 
 are scattered by death, emigration, or marriage, or sepa- 
 rated on account of other causes, set in with the Heron- 
 dines while Alton B. was quite young. At the age of six- 
 teen, when beginning his collegiate course, it was found 
 that there remained to him from his family and relatives 
 but two old aunts, one being the sister of his good father, 
 and the other bearing a similar relationship to his honored 
 mother. 
 
 These ladies possessed estates in their own right ; so 
 that their introduction into the Herondine household was 
 not designed to be a means or an end of support as poor 
 relations, but to enable them to form a home circle for the 
 young heir, and endeavor to relieve his anxieties and attend 
 to his individual wants. So well and assiduously did they 
 bend to the labor assigned them in this case that the 
 neighbors frequently called Herondine " the young man 
 with the two mothers."
 
 86 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 It was one of the curiosities of the times to witness 
 Alton B. stroll up Bleecker Street into Broadway with an 
 aunt on each arm, now listening to the suggestions of the 
 one, then turning suddenly to hear the opinions of the 
 other. As he was tall for his age and the ladies who 
 accompanied him very much the same height, gaunt, posi- 
 tive, and demonstrative while expatiating on familiar sub- 
 jects, the spectacle presented by the group was amusing. 
 In like manner they were encountered in several public 
 places in and around the city in Union Square, at the 
 City Hall, along the wharf, near the Battery or Castle 
 Garden, in the old Washington Market, at the Fifth 
 Avenue Hotel, on the Bowery, in Central Park, or beyond 
 the Hudson on the heights at Hoboken. 
 
 Mrs. Winling, the aunt on the Herondine side of the 
 house, had been gray-haired for years, but was now white ; 
 yet she still retained great vitality, clear perception, and a 
 volubility of language quite remarkable. Her laughter 
 resembled in some respects the clear sound of a bell. It 
 was customary to call her "Aunt Frill" an abbreviation 
 of Frilistine, which was her Christian name. She was a 
 widow whose husband and children were long since dead ; 
 and on this account, perhaps, she sought earthly solace in 
 her attachment for Herondine, whose comfort she endeav- 
 ored on all occasions to promote. 
 
 On the other hand, there was the mother's sister, Emma 
 Funton, whom Herondine familiarly called "Aunt Em." 
 Mrs. Funton was also a widow; but her children, three in 
 number, had been well married and settled comfortably in 
 life, leaving her to select the method of living best suited 
 to herself. Seeing the hardship wrought by death in the 
 Herondine family, Aunt Em offered her services as com-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 87 
 
 forter and joint guardian with Aunt Frill ; and thus it came 
 to pass they were associated in a benevolent work that the 
 people at large heartily approved : but they had their 
 peculiarities. 
 
 Aunt Frill was an indefatigable searcher after news 
 relating to the pedigree of other people, more especially to 
 the phase of it known as family jars, and even going so 
 far as to find comfort in sensational scandal as noised 
 around by neighboring gossips. At meals Herondine 
 heard all the secret operations of society through Aunt 
 Frill with a great deal more accuracy than was related 
 in the daily papers, besides hundreds of choice items that 
 never reached publication at all. He was delighted with 
 it, which made his aunt say on one occasion that she 
 "believed its efficacy made him fat." Whether true or 
 false, this assertion need not be questioned in face of the 
 fact that the young man enjoyed the society of Aunt Frill 
 with keen discernment, and imagined he could not eat a 
 satisfactory meal if not listening to the force and eloquence 
 of her tongue on such subjects as appeared to captivate 
 her choice. 
 
 Mrs. Funton, however, held these characteristic traits of 
 her companion in some contempt. Her precise and 
 methodical manner was opposed naturally to frivolous 
 language, although she did not object to the circulation of 
 scandal if couched in appropriate terms. She was a good 
 speaker, and the modulating tones of her voice added 
 interest as well as a pleasurable character to her discourse. 
 As a rule, if not debating with Aunt Frill, she was expati- 
 ating on the nature of a physical trouble which had fol- 
 lowed herself for years ; namely, weakness of the stomach. 
 No one exactly knew whether the complaint had ceased
 
 88 /<V THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 progressing or otherwise; her own testimony was all that 
 could be relied on in the case, and that was explicit 
 enough. 
 
 " My dear Frill," she would say, " you know my weak- 
 ness. My stomach is gone totally gone. I could no 
 more hope for its return to the normal state than expect to 
 meet Washington on Broadway. I am resigned to my fate 
 absolutely. You can see for yourself how cheerfully I bear 
 up against such tremendous odds. The doctor asserts there 
 is no remedy for weakness equal to strength. Something 
 strong should be applied to the weakness. Of course, that 
 is quite reasonable, and based, evidently, on sound scien- 
 tific principle ; therefore, my dear, I shall take for break- 
 fast on this occasion a beefsteak and fried onions with 
 scrambled eggs on the side." 
 
 Divided in tastes and sentiments, the aunts stood apart 
 also on the political issues of the period. Mrs. Winling 
 espoused the teachings of the Northern wing of the Demo- 
 cratic Party, afterwards led by Stephen A. Douglas, of 
 Illinois, while Mrs. Funton believed all hope of future 
 prosperity for the nation lay with the Constitutional Union 
 Party, previously known as the Know-nothing Party. In 
 seeking information on the question of slavery, therefore, 
 Herondine encountered a great deal of uncertainty. 
 
 While Aunt Frill went the length of recommending that 
 the people of the territories should be permitted to solve 
 the difficulties of the situation to suit themselves or appeal 
 to the wisdom of the Supreme Court, no argument was 
 advanced by her against the prevalence of slavery in the 
 states as then existing, because the Constitution permitted 
 it and she and her party imagined they could not assume 
 powers sufficient to overturn that which their forefathers
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 89 
 
 had so firmly established. This conclusion came so near 
 being right that it presented the semblance of greatness to 
 the world, which characterizes the conduct of strict adher- 
 ents of civil law, and left Herondine at a loss to know 
 how or where the whole truth could be acquired, if any- 
 thing further remained to be discovered relating to the 
 problem. 
 
 Mrs. Funton could not supply him with the desired 
 knowledge, because he found of his own accord that the 
 crude rules of her political belief were practically set aside 
 by the intellectual spirit of the times, and must be repudi- 
 ated by every young aspirant for public distinction or be 
 reckoned an illiberal citizen. 
 
 When Aunt Frill found that her dear nephew remained 
 for years disturbed in his political faith like a scornful irrec- 
 oncilable, she marveled much on the character of a remedy 
 for his case. Public opinion appeared so much divided on 
 great questions that she considered it useless to apply to 
 any one of the prominent statesmen in the country for en- 
 lightenment, because his sayings today would be contro- 
 verted tomorrow by somebody else equally gifted; and 
 how could she, a widow without children, determine who 
 was right? Hence she observed to Mrs. Funton: 
 " We'll wait. It will be set right some day." 
 To which the lady addressed emphatically replied : 
 " Never, except through cause and effect, if not by means 
 of Constitutional Union." 
 
 "My impression is," continued Aunt Frill, " things of 
 this kind come of their own accord, even if not allied to 
 genuine democracy like a man deserting his wife, for 
 instance, or an elopement in high life, that no one ever 
 expected would occur."
 
 90 AV THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "My dear Frill," responded Mrs. Funton, "these are 
 accidents, mere everyday happenings, that bear no relation 
 to Alton one way or another. I may reiterate, however, 
 the assertion so plainly made before, that all endeavors to 
 find some visionary benefit from a party or principle that 
 has no existence mark you, no de facto existence may 
 be pronounced waste of energy and distress of spirit." 
 
 Aunt Frill was silenced. Whenever her opponent in 
 debate found it necessary to quote from the Latin or 
 French, she felt her case hopeless, believing that the pres- 
 ence of these foreign languages, or any one of them, in the 
 discourse indicated complete victory for the other side. 
 Mrs. Funton's reasonings, however, did not bring convic- 
 tion to her mind; and for a long time she kept her thoughts 
 to herself, expecting some revelation. Strange as it may 
 appear, her hope was at length satisfied, and the mysterious 
 knowledge revealed as if to gladden her old heart in return 
 for the solicitude so lavishly bestowed on Herondine. 
 
 One day, in passing through Union Square, while 
 Herondine was listening to Mrs. Funton's description of 
 the celebrated persons in her party who loved baked beans 
 for Sunday morning breakfast, Aunt Frill espied a young 
 man seated on one of the rustic benches near the central 
 fountain, whose appearance seemed to revive in her some 
 ambitious idea, if not the curiosity for which she was re- 
 markable. 
 
 The young man was comfortably dressed, slender in 
 form, had a clear, pale face and brown hair, and appeared 
 a little above the medium height. A book lay beside him, 
 and as the party of the first part passed he bent forward 
 and traced lines on the margin of the walk with the end of 
 a twig.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 91 
 
 Aunt Frill was charmed by such novel conduct, although 
 unnoticed by her companions; and, as her nature demand- 
 ed the solution of the mysterious sayings and doings of all 
 persons within the limits of her acquaintance, as well as 
 those without them whom she could in any way reach, she 
 imagined she had discovered in the present case a fair sub- 
 ject for investigation. Besides, she became suddenly ani- 
 mated with the belief that this young man was an oracle 
 whose words would break down the barrier of uncertainty, 
 and clear all doubts away. In her enthusiasm she laughed 
 like one brimful of pleasant memories. 
 
 "I declare," she said to Herondine, "we must retrace 
 our steps and question that young man." 
 
 "Why, aunt, would it not be rude to accost a stranger 
 without a formal introduction? " 
 
 " No, my dear, not a stranger if the design be good, 
 such as the necessity existing of knowing as much as you 
 can about his affairs. We must keep posted, Alton, or be 
 nowhere. Besides, he may be able to prescribe a remedy 
 for Aunt Em's complaint, which is defying all our care 
 and watchfulness." 
 
 "I doubt it very much," replied Mrs. Funton testily, 
 although evidently flattered by the kindness of Aunt Frill 
 in remembering her at that time. 
 
 "But you will permit me to question him, Aunt," con- 
 tinued Herondine, as, wheeling round with his compan- 
 ions, he perceived they were committed to the undertaking. 
 
 " No, Alton, no," responded Aunt Frill. " You might 
 frighten him, my dear, whereas my questions will only 
 mollify his temper and draw him out." 
 
 Thus assuming the entire control of the prospective 
 interview, Aunt Frill approached her object with the
 
 92 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 cautious air of an uninformed person in order to excite the 
 ready acquiescence of the stranger. 
 
 " Excuse a woman's curiosity," she said, addressing the 
 young man, "but my friends my nephew, Mr. Heron- 
 dine, and Aunt Funton were in doubt as to your object 
 of drawing lines in the sand; and to relieve their embar- 
 rassment I thought it only right to ask you, seeing you 
 looked like a young person that would be very obliging." 
 ."Well," replied the stranger somewhat tardily, "I 
 imagine my work of little interest to you or your friends, 
 although you are quite welcome to know as much about it 
 as I do myself. I am endeavoring to establish a general 
 formula for the trisection of an angle." 
 
 "How strange that is!" said Aunt Frill learnedly. 
 "And may I ask, kind sir," she continued, "what sort of 
 an angle you propose to trisect ? " 
 
 As the stranger seemed puzzled how to answer, Heron- 
 dine said : 
 
 "A geometrical angle, aunt, to be sure." 
 
 "I suppose," resumed Aunt Frill, "you know pretty 
 much about everything. To what party do you belong? " 
 
 "To no party z madam,' replied the young man, with 
 spirit. 
 
 "No party!" reiterated Aunt Frill in amazement. 
 " How can you be so foolish? " 
 
 "The knowledge I seek is given by science," returned 
 the stranger. "To belong to a political party signifies 
 that you are bound hand and foot to its requirements and 
 conditions. I prefer freedom." 
 
 " Now that you mention it, that reminds me," said 
 Aunt Frill, " I intended to speak about slavery. What is 
 your opinion on the question ? Do you think the people
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 93 
 
 of the territories should be permitted to have slaves like 
 those of the states? " 
 
 " There should be no slavery in the states or territories," 
 replied the young man. " It is a relic of barbaric ages, a 
 disgrace to a nation claiming any affiliation with justice." 
 
 "But the Constitution? How can you reconcile its 
 provisions with men's opinion ? " 
 
 "We do not learn law from the Constitution. The 
 American citizens who framed it found slavery prevail as a 
 condition of things which they were unable to rectify. It 
 was introduced into this country and fostered under the 
 care of a foreign power until it grew to such vast propor- 
 tions that it would be suicidal to the success of the Ameri- 
 can patriots to ignore it. Hence it remained as part of 
 our country's obligations when the transfer of power was 
 made. The foreigner was driven out, but he left after him 
 something to be remembered, an ungodly heirloom, like a 
 skeleton in the cellar, capable of harrowing the feelings of 
 every individual in the household when its true nature 
 became known." 
 
 "Isn't that cute?" said Aunt Frill, looking with some 
 surprise not devoid of admiration at the young enthusiast. 
 
 At this point, Herondine, extending his card to the young 
 man, expressed a desire to see him at his home near Abing- 
 don Square when time permitted. The invitation was 
 accepted, and while excusing himself for his carelessness 
 in not carrying cards he wrote his name on a slip of paper 
 and presented it to Herondine. It was handed round to 
 the ladies as a means of reintroduction, Aunt Frill reading 
 it aloud, "Rob Riddleton, of Belview." 
 
 " There is one more question I wish to ask, until we 
 meet again," said Aunt Frill. "Mrs. Funton is troubled
 
 <J4 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 with weakness of the stomach. Indeed, as she herself 
 expresses it, her stomach is gone totally collapsed, 
 apparently. Now, is there anything in science that would 
 restore her to perfect health, or must she suffer all her life 
 from this unfortunate trouble? " 
 
 " Let me hear a history of the case," replied Riddleton, 
 "the symptoms, for instance and you, Mrs. Funton," 
 he said while glancing at her rotund figure, " please state 
 all you know of the complaint. Speak at the same time, 
 ladies, to expedite matters. I can analyze both accounts 
 together." 
 
 Then he bent his gaze on the ground and listened while 
 Aunt Frill and Aunt Funton dilated with rare circumlocu- 
 tion on the eccentricity and persistence of the disease 
 under consideration. When the ladies concluded their 
 account, Rob Riddleton said with a smile : 
 
 " Whenever you are attacked by weakness such as here 
 described, if it be at mealtimes and I have no doubt it 
 will eat everything in sight." 
 
 "And you think she may be cured?" queried Aunt 
 Frill. 
 
 " Unquestionably," replied Rob with emphasis. 
 
 "Ah ! " said Mrs. Funton, " how wonderful is science ! 
 This assurance of the young man is equivalent to the doc- 
 tor's diagnosis word for word. The weakness is not de- 
 nied nor the condition doubted ; therefore, my dear Frill, 
 we shall continue the beefsteaks in the morning, to which 
 may be added some boiled brook trout, with a variable diet 
 for lunch and dinner, until the cure is well established." 
 
 Herondine and Riddleton became intimate friends, vis- 
 iting each other frequently and discussing the difficulties 
 of the times for the purpose of extending their knowledge.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 95 
 
 Alton B. soon understood the method by which he could 
 arrive at the truth of things ; namely, to examine each 
 case on its merits, and judge logically, discarding preju- 
 dice and opinion. For this purpose he read text books 
 on the reasoning process, guided by Rob, until he felt 
 the self-conscious independence of a scholar. He learned, 
 too, the secret of Aunt Funton's complaint. The weak- 
 ness complained of was merely hunger promoted by a 
 sharp appetite, a healthy indication if promptly met by 
 wholesome diet. 
 
 Besides this success of Herondine, which must be cred- 
 ited to Aunt Frill's remarkable watchfulness, there was 
 another item of happiness acquired through the same 
 means; namely, acquaintance with Grace Finnestare. 
 Some years before the opening of our story, Judge Finnes- 
 tare and his daughter were visiting in New York, and en - 
 countered the young man with the two mothers at the 
 residence of mutual friends. They appeared so nearly 
 alike in superior attainments as well as physical aspect that 
 an attachment grew up between them which culminated in 
 love. Later Herondine proposed an engagement to Miss 
 Finnestare, which was received favorably and accepted. 
 
 Hence, when the rumors of war brought him into 
 activity as an advocate of freedom to the slaves, his obli- 
 gations to his country stood heavily on the one hand, while 
 his engagement to marry encumbered the other. In either 
 case he could not escape from honorable duty. The men 
 of his party saw he was a competent agent to send west, 
 and delegated him to spread the new doctrine on the bor- 
 der, in order, if possible, to counteract the vicious teach- 
 ings of their enemies. It was a sore trial to Aunt Frill 
 and Aunt Funton when Herondine appeared ready, with a
 
 96 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 gripsack in his hand, to depart on his mission ; but they 
 were reconciled when assured of his speedy return. 
 
 This was the condition of his affairs when he appeared 
 in Omaha, little suspecting the existence of Danderton 
 Hitch's enmity or the danger that menaced him on 
 account of his faithfulness to his early love. He began at 
 once to enlist public sentiment in favor of his party, whose 
 representatives in convention at Chicago, May eighteenth, 
 had nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency, and 
 whose platform contained a plank recommending the pro- 
 hibition of slavery in the territories as a preliminary 
 provision of further legislation on the subject. 
 
 In conjunction with thousands of exemplary Americans, 
 he was anxious to remove the base stigma of cruelty from 
 the land of his birth, foisted on it by an unscrupulous 
 enemy. For years the voices and aspirations of the 
 humane people to whom he belonged were suppressed by 
 the influence of the slave markets and the arrogant cry of 
 " individual rights " from those whose selfishness demanded 
 the bonded body and soul of a human being to satisfy 
 their thirsfcfor gain. Now the cruelty of war would meet 
 the cruelty of slavery, and render an accounting of the 
 issue at the expense of many a valuable life. Darkness 
 would encounter darkness on the margin of the abyss 
 dividing truth from ignorance ; and, when the mists and 
 smoke should roll away, the light of reason and of justice 
 would appear in their stead to direct this part of mankind 
 still further into the unknown future.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 97 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 VIEWING THE GATHERING CLOUDS. 
 
 THE crowd at Judge Finnestare's, which heretofore 
 assembled in that hospitable household for socia- 
 bility and good-fellowship, now sat closer together and 
 grew less gay daily on account of the serious condition of 
 the political situation throughout the country. Like the 
 gathering of the clouds before a storm, whose movements 
 are silently performed, as if conscious of impending rup- 
 ture, so the people on the western border of the United 
 States, as well as those in other places, began to divide or 
 concentrate on the issues of civil war, which the signs of 
 the period foretold to a certainty. 
 
 Since Herondine's arrival, many persons besides regular 
 visitors availed themselves of invitations and came to 
 hear him speak. He seemed ready to answer all questions, 
 and denied no one the information in his possession on the 
 approaching crisis. Generally his declaration was a hold- 
 ing forth rather than private conversation. Notwithstand- 
 ing the popularity by which he was surrounded, his oppo- 
 nents and enemies were numerous, owing to the stand 
 taken by him to defeat the establishment of "The Western 
 Gasconader " under' the management of Danderton Hitch, 
 and his denunciation of slavery in any form. 
 
 Bad feeling grew up between him and Danderton, not 
 only on these grounds, but also on account of the secret 
 adoration each entertained for Grace Finnestare, as hereto- 
 fore mentioned, the Eastern man knowing full well that his 
 rival could not live in the neighborhood of the lovely girl 
 and not regard her with affection. The instinct of the two
 
 98 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 men became powerful factors in shaping their thoughts in 
 this direction ; and the imagination, adding its quota to the 
 facts, produced so huge a cause that they became noted 
 enemies, whose hatred one for the other admitted of no 
 compromise. Nor did this source of contention remain 
 long waiting for a stimulant from current events. 
 
 In November, Mr. Lincoln was elected by a popular vote 
 approaching two millions, having a good plurality over the 
 favored Democratic Party of the North, and showing the 
 pro-slavery party of the South, the Southern Democracy, as 
 well as the Know-nothing Party, to be mere factions. 
 Herondine heard the news with delight. He boasted on 
 the street, in the presence of a mixed congregation of poli- 
 ticians, that the American people would no longer be 
 classed as slave owners, and that such of them as hereto- 
 fore sought to establish a reign of justice and law would 
 now stand forth together to receive the commendation they 
 deserved from the civilized world. They had spoken 
 through the polls and proclaimed their strength. Heron- 
 dine's enthusiasm, as a matter of course, only increased the 
 animosity of his antagonists. The defeated parties grew 
 more restive, and it was freely predicted that the Republi- 
 can victory would now more than ever advance the chances 
 of war. 
 
 On the night that his friends assembled to congratulate 
 him on the success of his party, there was a large assem- 
 blage at Finnestare's. The Judge, as host, appeared to 
 advantage in his faultless suit of blue; but there was an 
 expression of care on his countenance, indicating how 
 deeply he felt the troubles gathering around him, which 
 threatened even the stability of his home, and probably 
 the absorption of his fortune. He sat in a high armchair
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 99 
 
 in the northeast corner of the living room, where every 
 one could see him, and questioned Herondine closely on 
 leading subjects as they were introduced. 
 
 Grace Finnestare presided at the piano in the early part 
 of the evening, but, singularly enough, as debate increased, 
 the music died out, and she remained before the instru- 
 ment a silent listener rather than disturb the glow of 
 thought peculiar to the occasion. 
 
 Madam Gloriana, accustomed to activity and garrulous 
 explanations, folded her hands together and gave a sigh of 
 resignation as she found herself securely flanked by two 
 elderly women, who poked their elbows into her ribs alter- 
 nately as some expression in the discourse aroused the 
 latent humor of their souls to the striking point. Felice, 
 too, might be seen in the passage leading to the kitchen, 
 anxious to understand the drift of the conversation. 
 
 On every face there appeared anxiety; from every tongue 
 came assertions of wonder or dismay as one part or the 
 other of the situation was contemplated. Nay, more; as 
 the night grew dark, persons uninvited collected on the 
 outside near the front door, which stood open, eager to 
 catch the news as circulated within. One of these figures 
 standing in the gloom looked very much like Danderton 
 Hitch, for the night watchman, who was there also, made 
 him out clearly to his own satisfaction, and wondered what 
 he was up to. Some of Judge Finnestare' s questions tested 
 Herondine's reasoning powers to their utmost capacity. 
 
 "Are not the rights of an individual foremost of all 
 things connected with human affairs? " he said. 
 
 "It is true," responded Herondine, "but in consider- 
 ing the case of master and slave you should remember there 
 are two individuals, one for whom the supreme rights
 
 100 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 referred to are claimed without reservation, while the other 
 has no rights at all. Your proposition, therefore, is merely 
 sectional or circumscribed." 
 
 " I desire to remind you, my dear Alton," returned the 
 Judge, "that the case of the master, or slave owner, was to 
 be examined on its merits, separately. If individuality 
 amounts to anything, it must apply to him as much as to 
 any favorite of yours. Inequality in condition must exist 
 among people always, because it is natural. The respon- 
 sibilities of some are greater than others. The surround- 
 ings, or environment, the laws of business, and circum- 
 stances demand and impose such distinction." 
 
 "You are again correct, Judge," answered Herondine. 
 "The standpoint or platform on which you reason is good 
 enough as far as it goes. In other words, you have not 
 stated the whole truth, but only a portion of it. The slave 
 owner has undoubtedly individual rights ; but, mark you, 
 no privilege of that kind should be maintained when found 
 trespassing on the rights of others. This is the great utility 
 of law, to adjudicate justice between man and man. 
 Should it fail to accomplish this purpose on account of 
 circumscribed design, it is no longer law, but mere party 
 legislation, disreputable and treacherous, whose operation 
 should be stopped with as much force and interest as if it 
 were a torrent of destruction. Bear in mind that the exe- 
 cution of law is not necessarily freedom from distress. 
 Calamity is liable to strike any person, no matter how well 
 fortified he may be against it. This is inevitable. There- 
 fore the slave owner is as liable to suffer loss or hardship 
 by the laws introduced for the government of individuals 
 as the slave. If people complain of law because it does not 
 make them rich or happy, they should remember it does
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 101 
 
 not operate out of its sphere any more than a wagon or a 
 balloon. Under the greatest law, life, there is the hard- 
 ship, death, demonstrating to us clearly that our world 
 and our conditions are subject to a give and take policy 
 where complete immunity from distress is impossible. 
 
 " We propose to give a class of persons heretofore un- 
 justly dealt with, the privileges of freedom that the higher 
 moral law would concede were it in general practice here. 
 Should this action produce stringency or loss to the slave 
 owner, justice, no doubt, would demand compensation for 
 it ; but in case such terms were not acceptable, then the 
 liberty of the slaves should be proclaimed anyhow, because 
 the apparent injustice to the masters would be trifling and 
 insignificant side by side with the long array of social hap- 
 piness and improvement to be enjoyed by the colored 
 people set free. Besides, such legislation is in consort 
 with nature to restore equilibrium where disturbances are 
 presented. 
 
 " Let it be understood, a man with a moiety of truth is 
 not so far advanced as one with the whole truth, whatever 
 may be the case ; and a part, compared with the entire, is 
 of little use. It is singular how many persons are found 
 in this world grasping at a little and rejecting much, 
 who select the less good for the greater and the ideal for 
 the real. Some stake all hope on a single idea, others in 
 the efficacy of an imperfect contrivance, while hundreds 
 go before the country ventilating visionary projects of 
 reform which are branded false and delusive as plainly as 
 those spoken of in the Apocalypse who shall carry on the 
 forehead the mark of the beast. In liberty we possess the 
 greater good ; in charity, the greater virtue. The freedom 
 of all classes of mankind agrees with natural law, provided
 
 102 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 the second condition be fulfilled of reconciling each class 
 and individual to its proper position in order that the 
 whole be made harmonious. This is individuality and 
 universality one with the other. Nature's law requires 
 this strange condition, and mankind must follow or fail. 
 If men persist in attempting to rule the business world and 
 society by mere opinions, regardless of imperishable law, 
 the fabric of the human race will fall into chaos and finally 
 produce total extinction. 
 
 " The harmony of parts produces beauty ; the harmony 
 of sounds, music. Men who speak for the individual alone 
 and demand legislation in his interests are only half- 
 way right. If the relationship of other individuals be 
 denied and the prosperity of the country at large ignored 
 or abused, the plan of nature is broken, the conditions 
 have not been fulfilled, and disappointment and discontent 
 must be the inevitable result. 
 
 " Men of themselves can make no law ; they only define 
 it, like a sculptor who hews a statue from the block. We 
 are afflicted at present with ignorant opinions run riot over 
 questions of right and wrong which threaten disruption to 
 the nation and a blockade of republican institutions. You 
 must urge what I have outlined in this speech the sub- 
 mission of individuals to the will of the majority until 
 the truth becomes apparent. Our opponents may precipi- 
 tate war on the pretense that the rights of the individual 
 have been disregarded, but in meeting them we hope to be 
 animated with the consciousness of being on the side of 
 sound principle held sacred in the trust of the supreme 
 powers that control the destinies of nations." 
 
 Judge Finnestare made no reply to this statement of his 
 prospective son-in-law. The features of the company
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 103 
 
 present told of the awe by which they were inspired, 
 and the old man sought not to induce further discussion 
 on a subject that called forth such fearful possibilities as 
 fratricidal war and its consequences. The conversation, 
 however, became general, as is usually the case where the 
 opinions of a miscellaneous gathering of people are tem- 
 porarily suspended in favor of a person of superior attain- 
 ments. 
 
 Madam Gloriana heard with the deepest concern what 
 the two elderly women near her had to say on oratory in 
 general and of some shining lights of their respective fam- 
 ilies in particular how "Jim," the husband of one, and 
 "Ned," the husband of the other, exceeded all men as 
 linguists, especially when under excitement or with a little 
 drink aboard, and would have astonished the world at 
 large if it had not been for accident which kept them back 
 and turned themselves and their talents into unfortunate 
 channels, where they were now found. 
 
 Following the example of others, Herondine led Grace 
 Finnestare to a seat near her father, and the three ex- 
 changed ideas in low tones on future arrangements and 
 anticipated events. Figuratively speaking, they scanned 
 the gathering clouds of war as they approached realization, 
 and shuddered at the ordeal through which they must 
 necessarily pass before the coming of peace again. 
 
 The young man could not help debating with himself if 
 it were really just to marry his affianced at this time, for 
 personally he must live up to the expectations of his polit- 
 ical friends and quit his home for the field when necessary. 
 On this account he revealed to Grace Finnestare and her 
 father all his plans and obligations, all his feelings of love 
 for her and his country, and awaited her decision. When
 
 104 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 this decision came, it was characteristic of the faithfulness 
 of womankind as a rule and of the patriotism of the 
 American girl. She would leave her home, she said, and 
 follow him to the field, or wait and work until his return. 
 
 Then the auspicious day of their marriage was named 
 December twentieth with preliminary arrangements fur 
 the occasion settled, amid thoughts of earthly happiness 
 and forebodings of evil. It was also determined that Judge 
 Finnestare would dispose of his property and banking 
 interests in Omaha so as to move into Herondine's New 
 York home, where, with his daughter and the two aunts, 
 besides Madam Gloriana and Felice, who would accompany 
 them, he would be as carefully tended as ever before, and 
 the last years of his life comforted by their presence. 
 
 When the serious part of the business was concluded, 
 Herondine announced to Grace and her father that he had 
 received a letter from Aunt Frill which he would read for 
 their entertainment, or such portions of it as deserved 
 notice. 
 
 "Alton dear," she wrote, "we elected Lincoln. He 
 wasn't my choice from the start, because I went my pile 
 on Douglas, as you are aware ; nor was he the man Aunt 
 Funton was hankering after, bein' so much taken up with 
 Constitutional Union ; but, as I said before, we elected 
 Lincoln for all that was out. We knew it would please you, 
 for you were dead stuck' after him and would bet your 
 bottom dollar to win. 
 
 " Since the time we met that Riddleton young man in 
 Union Square, it was plain to my mind you would drop 
 common sense and catch on to science, whether it was 
 south, west, or crooked. 
 
 " I gave Aunt Funton a piece of my mind about it pri-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 105 
 
 vately, telling her it might be the ruin of you, just as much 
 as if you went into spiritualism or the scow business, but 
 she wisely answered that in such cases there was no remedy 
 worth a picayune. Aunt Funton is clear-sighted ; there's 
 no backing out of that. 
 
 " It is rumored the pro-slavery people are going to hold 
 a barbecue in Washington about next Christmas. We 
 don't know how true it is. Do you? If you attend (but 
 of course not), send us notice, and we'll be happy to recip- 
 rocate and thank you all the same. It is only right that 
 such should be recognized. 
 
 "Now, about the suggestion to attend your wedding 
 when we get word of the time : we have considered it. 
 You are good to think of your old aunts in the emergency, 
 but in consultation it was decided unwise to travel all that 
 distance while Aunt Funton is feeling ill. The complaint 
 of her stomach comes on at periods about the dinner hour, 
 and if it were not that I had the proper remedy always 
 ready at hand generally beefsteak or prime roast I do 
 not know what actually would happen. So we'll postpone 
 it. I may say, however, she is quite well otherwise, and 
 tips the beam at one sixty-nine three-quarters, which is 
 quite encouraging for a delicate woman. ' ' 
 
 After the reading of Aunt Frill's letter the discussion of 
 minor details was continued until the company began to 
 move away. Among the first to depart from the outside was 
 Danderton Hitch. He had heard Herondine's speech, 
 and it evolved new ideas in his mind. His hatred of the 
 young man increased on being convinced that he was a 
 person of ability, commanding the respect of his audiences, 
 and, as a matter of course, endearing himself still further 
 to the heart of Grace Finnestare.
 
 106 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Danderton's measure of revenge was not full. The 
 doubtful conditions defined by his father regarding Whif- 
 ton's method of procuring dynamite seemed unsatisfactory. 
 The plan might fail and the bird escape. If war was inev- 
 itable, the general disturbance accompanying it would aid 
 him in his purpose to slay Herondine. 
 
 This Eastern emissary, proud of his knowledge and 
 confident of success, must fall ingloriously. He, Dander- 
 ton, would see to that much single-handed. There need be 
 no such explosion as that suggested by his father, which, if 
 promoted, would cause widespread consternation and com- 
 ment. The work must be done without noise and in the 
 dark conditions favorable to escape. Under this feature 
 of the case, it was not necessary to consider mitigating 
 circumstances. The act should be thorough and fiendish, 
 with a record only of a dead man and an undiscovered 
 assassin. On the night of Herondine's marriage, while 
 sauntering on the porch, Danderton would stab him in the 
 back without fear of detection. Then, afterwards, he 
 would watch the fate of Grace Finnestare, and, if chance 
 offered, marry her when her protectors had disappeared 
 and all her hopes of happiness were dead ! 
 
 These ideas originated with him as he sought repose on 
 that night, and during the days intervening between it and 
 the twentieth of December he revolved the plot in his 
 mind. His morbid nature fed upon the outlook as some- 
 thing necessary for its condition, and it grew in strength 
 and importance until it seemed a substantial reality that 
 could not fail of accomplishment. 
 
 In the meantime, Crow Whifton, in his lone dwelling at 
 the crossroads, had little suspicion of the actual approach 
 of war. Relying on the information or opinions of the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 107 
 
 night watchman, he believed that, at most, the contending 
 parties would settle the difficulty by arbitration. The 
 conduct of Hamilton Hitch, however, entered largely into 
 his thoughts, and filled the entire field of his imagination 
 with a combination of pain and pleasure, like a landscape 
 over which drift light clouds and sunshine on a lovely day. 
 
 Owing to the persistence of this train of thinking, the 
 man became his ideal companion whose presence could not 
 be shut out from the memory. This strange individual 
 was not only the skeleton behind the door in Whifton's 
 antique room, but the guest at his table, the visitor at the 
 fireside, and the spirit of his mental vision in the darkness 
 before he slept. He could not reconcile with his doubts 
 and misgivings of the man the insinuating manner, the 
 friendly smile, the liberality and benevolent acts associated 
 with him. There was something unfathomable in his 
 nature which tended to darken the brightness that a clear 
 conscience heretofore sustained around the little trader in 
 trifles, and caused a painful sensation at his heart, occasion- 
 ally, as great almost as the recollection of his unrequited 
 love. 
 
 The starting point of this trouble came from the incident 
 before recorded, where Hamilton Hitch requests Whifton 
 to conceal a crime to save a criminal, and makes the obli- 
 gation deep and lasting by giving a bribe to seal the com- 
 pact. Whenever Whifton thought of Hamilton Hitch as 
 a gentleman, a good fellow, or a genial acquaintance, the 
 little man invariably went back to this circumstance as if 
 forced to do so by an unseen agent. This tampering with 
 the mysterious continued almost without intermission from 
 the time of the event until now, when we see him calculat- 
 ing on the chances of success or failure as others do, and
 
 108 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 viewing the clouds of distress or discontent as they ap- 
 peared to accumulate above his head with the near approach 
 of winter. 
 
 Doing his best to avoid consideration of it, he ended by 
 permitting its full force to play with his intellect and bind 
 his will to the subtle influence which it displayed. Free 
 to all appearances, he was, nevertheless, bound even to 
 more than this irrevocably as if chained to a rock. The 
 very thought of filing charges against Hitch shocked him. 
 He felt that the dark power in league with the man could 
 be brought into action with impunity and destroy his 
 existence with the unerring certainty of a bullet in his 
 heart. Besides, he felt an inward loss of courage or pur- 
 pose which could not be overcome. 
 
 The advent of this condition was slow, but, when fully 
 developed, there was no doubt regarding its significance. 
 At first the pursuit of the theme brought to his mind the 
 idea that he himself had committed an error, and then 
 that it was a crime. Originally a minute thing, it now 
 assumed immense proportions, like the inflation of a bal- 
 loon. From doubts of the integrity of Hamilton Hitch, 
 Whifton turned upon himself. He had not forgotten he 
 aspired to be a judge, and here was a case that could test 
 his ability. 
 
 "Whifton," he said, " answer the court, are you guilty 
 or not?" 
 
 "Not guilty, your honor; it is really so," he replied. 
 " There was no criminal intention at the time the act was 
 committed, which exonerates me to some extent. Other 
 motives prevailed, such as personal safety, profit, and loss; 
 but I agree that after due deliberation there was guilt in 
 retaining the bribe."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 109 
 
 " What have you to say, sir," continued Whifton, ques- 
 tioning himself, " about the growth, or multiplication, of 
 small offenses : their liability to lead into serious or great 
 crimes? " 
 
 "I plead extenuating circumstances, your honor, and 
 ask for a stay of proceedings." 
 
 " On what grounds? " 
 
 "Repentance, your honor, which is equivalent to the 
 punishment or restitution required by the civil law. I 
 repent, and assure the court I shall never again be found 
 perpetrating such wrong." 
 
 "Ah! but," said the court severely, "mark what fol- 
 lows your weak-kneed policy. Hamilton Hitch negotiated 
 the purchase of dynamite through you, ostensibly for scien- 
 tific purposes, but who could tell if this statement, or 
 declaration, was true. The pursuits and public character 
 of Danderton, his son, would not point to any such belief 
 quite the contrary. Now, if, when received, the dyna- 
 mite should be used not for scientific purposes, but to 
 destroy life and property, your resolution would be of 
 little avail; and the first step in crime, of which you 
 repent, would be advanced to a stage where criminality 
 on a large scale could not be denied. You should eradi- 
 cate the first cause if you meant to be really and truly just." 
 
 " The court has wise discernment; it is really so," said 
 Whifton gravely; "but I have not sufficient power to 
 institute proceedings against a man where there is so 
 much doubt. Anyway, I shall keep the secret and take 
 the risks." 
 
 "You are tempting fate to call forth disaster which 
 could have been easily averted by disclosure." 
 
 " I judge for myself to the best of my ability."
 
 110 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 ' ' It may be false. Suppose the dynamite procured by 
 you should be employed against Grace Finnestare? " 
 
 Whifton groaned. He stood up, and, glancing through 
 the window, pointed to an old tree which appeared in the 
 plain some distance from the house. 
 
 " If it please the court, the penalty would be paid there" 
 he said; but it did not transpire whether he meant that 
 Hitch or himself would be hanged on the tree. 
 
 "We perceive," resumed the court, "you have been 
 overshadowed by a mysterious power, an evil one, at the 
 command of the individual. You have been bound to 
 play a neutral part, while he has gone forth free to prosecute 
 his nefarious principles. In your heart you are guiltless, 
 yet you hold the gist of a secret which may one day lead to 
 disaster and death. Your case resembles that of a spirit 
 suspended between heaven and the abode of darkness. 
 You are neither up nor down, this way nor that way. 
 Now listen ; I shall define your position, clearly, for the 
 information of thousands of other persons similarly situ- 
 ated. You are In the Depths of the First Degree of crime, 
 but so imperfectly implicated as to escape detection. 
 Should you advance with other acts of a like nature, your 
 career would never change its criminal course until warned 
 by some well-timed accident or punishment in the hands 
 of the law. You have decided wisely to stop and take 
 chances whether your original trespass on morality will die 
 or yield a much greater crime. Let us hope you may 
 escape. While this impending trouble is suspended above 
 your head, you must remain in the depths of the first de- 
 gree, where innocence loses the charm of its glory in ex- 
 change for degradation, and virtue hides her head in 
 shame ; where victory is checked, freedom compromised,
 
 TffE FIRST DEGREE. Ill 
 
 and the gifts of God to man sullied so as to appear incon- 
 sistent with the power and greatness of Him who gave 
 them." 
 
 Whifton bowed his head as if saluting the decision of 
 the court. Other men feared the rumors of war, but he 
 dreaded more than anything else the coming of the dyna- 
 mite ; and, behold, the time was at hand ! 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE RECORD BROKEN. 
 
 HERONDINE'S wedding day was typical of the 
 period, having brightness and gloom alternating. 
 The air was keen with frost, the ground hard, and far 
 above in the sky small clouds congregated as if preparing 
 to descend in snow. Public traffic on the streets had 
 become visibly less, as was usually the case at that time 
 of the year; and many people were content to remain 
 inactive during the absence of business until the opening 
 of spring. There seemed to be an ominous silence abroad 
 portending the coming of some momentous disaster. 
 
 It had been arranged that Herondine and Grace Fin- 
 nestare would be married in her father's home when the 
 lights were set in the evening, and the guests assembled to 
 witness the ceremony and participate in the festivities. 
 The good old-fashioned way of having a sumptuous supper 
 was to be observed, with the bride and groom seated in 
 their proper places at the table, followed by toasts, singing, 
 and dancing. In connection with this program, it may be 
 said Madam Gloriana never appeared to greater advan-
 
 112 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 tage than on this occasion when the persons invited 
 appeared upon the scene and saw her handiwork displayed 
 in the decorations and general management of the festival. 
 It was superb. 
 
 At the time appointed, Herondine entered the large 
 living room from the east side, while Grace Finnestare 
 came from the west. Both were accompanied by a train 
 of attendants. The two groups stood beneath a canopy of 
 blue silk, whose supports and fringes were decorated with 
 delicate winter flowers and strings of creepers. Besides 
 the brilliant display of lights and colors, the place was full 
 of perfume. 
 
 Judge Finnestare, entering, advanced and gave away his 
 daughter without any perceptible emotion, so much did he 
 confide in and reverence the character of his future son-in- 
 law. Then the ceremony proceeded and the words neces- 
 sary to make the couple husband and wife were pronounced, 
 followed by the most sincere and hearty congratulations 
 ever offered anyone in that district. 
 
 Some of the leading people of the company, turning 
 from the happy bride and groom, bent their heads in the 
 direction of the dining room, where the next most desir- 
 able performance would be enacted ; but at this point 
 their progress was temporarily arrested by a noise coming 
 from the city which resembled a public commotion in the 
 streets instigated by incidents or news of an unusual char- 
 acter. Every one stood still and listened. The loud 
 shouting of a multitude of people could be distinctly heard, 
 supplemented by hoarse calls, the clattering of horses' 
 hoofs on the hard road, the quick footsteps on the pave- 
 ment, the buzz of general conversation, and occasionally 
 the report of a pistol or shotgun discharged in the air.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 113 
 
 Herondine stood motionless with his bride, hand in 
 hand. A painter would have seized the situation to delin- 
 eate a picture where awe overspread the features of two 
 beautiful persons in the climax of their happiness. They 
 had reached the heights of bliss, and lo, tribulation sud- 
 denly appeared in the valley following their footsteps. 
 One of the guests stepping into the street returned soon 
 afterwards with the important news. 
 
 " South Carolina has seceded from the Union ! A con- 
 vention authorized by the state legislature adopted find 
 promulgated an ordinance of secession this very day. 
 The news came in by telegraph." 
 
 No one in the party understood the significance of this 
 announcement better than Herondine. He knew it indi- 
 cated not merely obstruction to republican advancement 
 but a partial cancellation of the work performed by his 
 forefathers, who fought and died for the political liberty, 
 such as it was, which America enjoyed. 
 
 Lest his abstraction should incommode the company 
 in any way, Herondine, taking the bride on his arm, led 
 the way to the dining room, where discussion of the news 
 became secondary to the admiration for, and enjoyment 
 of, the viands so lavishly spread on the tables. Indeed, 
 many persons seemed to regard it as of little importance, 
 and settled the question of secession in South Carolina for 
 themselves by saying, " Let her go. What's the odds, 
 anyhow? " Herondine did not coincide with these opin- 
 ions. While at supper he dilated on the subject at some 
 length to his wife. 
 
 "This act of South Carolina," he said, "cannot be 
 maintained on legal grounds. Separation, or secession, of 
 one state from the others, to be lawful must be agreeable
 
 114 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 to all. The law of the case could have been enunciated 
 by a child learning its first lessons in reasoning, so simple 
 is it. The original design on which the Constitution and 
 existence of the United States have been founded is the 
 universal law before mentioned, where the individual 
 liberty of a state, in harmony with the general interests of 
 the others, unite in consolidating and perpetuating a great 
 nation endowed with facilities for the maintenance of 
 peace and prosperity among the children of mankind. 
 The idea was probably borrowed from old Rome, although 
 in the operations of nature there is nothing so clearly 
 defined as this contrivance. Hence we must hold the law- 
 sacred, for upon it depends the stability of our national 
 existence. Rome fell because she swerved from its observ- 
 ance, led by ambitious men; but if we come to such a 
 fate, it shall be when our citizens are too ignorant to 
 reason and too perverse to be obedient to the law. There 
 are not yet many indications that such a period is ap- 
 proaching." 
 
 While the company was at the height of enjoyment, 
 Herondine walked into the night alone to ascertain if there 
 were any serious troubles abroad. In his opinion, any- 
 thing might happen, from the shooting of an individual to 
 open rebellion. The noises in the town, however, were no 
 longer heard. The atmosphere was cold and the darkness 
 impenetrable. Silence happily reigned conjointly with it 
 above the scene. Now, if his archenemy, Danderton Hitch, 
 happened to be near, his opportunity had come. No one 
 would witness the deathblow. How Herondine waited as 
 if actually tempting fate and placing his life at the mercy 
 of the foe, but, as the reader is aware, all unconscious of 
 danger ! He listened ; there was no sound : he moved ;
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 115 
 
 there responded no pursuing footstep, Finally he returned 
 to the dining room. 
 
 Where was Danderton ? 
 
 There were cogent reasons why he did not appear on 
 this occasion. The necessary preparations had been made 
 by him, as before sketched. His dress was tight fitting, 
 confined at the waist by a belt so that no loose clothing 
 should obstruct his movements. Even the point of the 
 dagger he intended using was carefully examined, and he 
 sat in the front apartment of his home looking out at the 
 gathering twilight, ready for action. His father was 
 closeted in his private room upstairs, where he spent most 
 of his time studying devices which harmonized with his 
 thoughts and applied to some ulterior design against the 
 well-being of society. It was at this time the news of se- 
 cession was given out in front of the telegraph office and 
 caused such widespread consternation afterwards among 
 the citizens. 
 
 Like worms frightened out of their beds by a thunder- 
 storm, father and son rushed simultaneously to the front 
 door. Danderton, promising to return in a short time, 
 bounded over the nearest way to the center of the city, 
 intent on ascertaining the cause of the trouble. He was 
 not long absent. When he came in and went into secret 
 conference with his father, the joy that filled his soul de- 
 prived him of intelligent speech. Seizing the man's hand, 
 he babbled something like gibberish. 
 
 They had come to the identical place and situation 
 where, on a former occasion, it was decided that Heron- 
 dine must die on the night of his marriage. The father 
 waited with a grim smile over his features. Presently 
 Danderton was able to say :
 
 110 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "They got it in the neck this time, good. Secesh is 
 here. South Carolina is free ! " 
 
 The d ! " said Hamilton Hitch, tersely. 
 
 Then, as the significance of the news came upon him like 
 the reappearance of a dissolving view, his enthusiasm rose 
 to fever heat. He grew wild and dramatic, walking hur- 
 riedly around the apartment with clenched hands and 
 occasionally breaking into laughter. His conduct was 
 plainly diabolical; if not idiotic. 
 
 " See here ! " he said to Danderton, spasmodically point- 
 ing his finger at his son's face. " That cancels everything. 
 Our small plans must come to a standstill. Now is the 
 beginning ; because there is a country we can call home, 
 and my old record can be broken to pieces, with the pros- 
 pect that it never will be renewed." 
 
 "It is away up," remarked the son, "but, dad, what 
 are you going to do ? " 
 
 "Vamoose the territory. Clear out while our enemies 
 are dumfounded by the news." 
 
 "You ain't going tonight, are you? " 
 
 "Ain't I, though? Why not? Every man likes to 
 escape from prison when he can. You do not know what 
 it is to have shackles on your ankles and wrists, or to be a 
 suspect that dreads the coming of daylight. Once in a 
 while a bad man gets in his big licks ; luck strikes him like 
 a shot. It is our turn now. I have been patient under 
 the burden of vile surveillance, because there was no help 
 for it ; but now I can pitch the record to the winds and 
 free myself by a little caution and the run of a few days." 
 
 " Do you forget that this was Herondine's night? " said 
 Danderton, lowering his voice. 
 
 "Naw," answered the father, derisively. " Herondine
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 117 
 
 and all his truck ain't a drop in the bucket compared 
 with the golden opportunity now offered me for escape. 
 Such a chance occurs only once in a lifetime ; therefore 
 leave him alone. He'll turn up again. On the peril of 
 your life, don't touch him ! Do not approach the house 
 where he is or be seen in the vicinity, lest my course 
 should be blockaded. I want obedience to this injunction 
 observed with greater care than anything I have ever 
 spoken. ' ' 
 
 In what a singular way just men are sometimes preserved 
 from violence ! Here was Herondine, who had been con- 
 demned to death by Danderton and his father, now as safe 
 and sound as if guarded by a hundred deputy sheriffs, and 
 the two would-be assassins, as bloodthirsty as ever and 
 with as many facilities to carry their vile scheme into exe- 
 cution as before, yet powerless to act. Some would say 
 it was due to a special providence. Let it appear so. It 
 was due to law to the one giving the larger share prece- 
 dence over the less, and endowing the greater incident 
 with power to control the minor ones so as to claim most 
 attention and precipitate itself through the sphere of its 
 existence in its true character. Advancing to the window, 
 the father threw up the sash and continued : 
 
 "Look ! the night is actually as thick as mud, as if to 
 favor me. It will not be fooled. I'll take the chance. 
 Besides, I would have you to know, we can make our own 
 terms with the new government in the South and get any- 
 thing we have a mind to. There is a great prospect for us ; 
 we'll be in it this time. Now, while I go forward at once 
 in the darkness, you follow at early dawn. Our destina- 
 tion is Charleston." 
 
 "And the property here? " inquired the son.
 
 118 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " Biles, the real estate man, will take care of it. He has 
 my instructions and knows what I want. Biles is a careful 
 thinker, and works closely. We can depend on him. He 
 may rent the house for a while, and then sell the entire 
 property. I shall invest the money in the bonds which, 
 no doubt, will be issued by the Southern government for 
 the purpose of meeting expenses; and we, in this way, 
 may become creditors of it and persons of consequence." 
 
 This glowing account of the father inoculated the mind 
 of the son with visions of future greatness, and reconciled 
 him to the failure of his plot against Herondine. Both 
 men began preparations for departure. As it was early in 
 the night, the father could easily clear the city and suburbs 
 without exciting suspicion or even curiosity. He could 
 procure a good mount for a trifle from one of the stable 
 men, who was a friend of his, and, like Whifton, in the 
 depths of the first degree. He held a secret in trust, and 
 was faithful. Hamilton Hitch had many such friends. 
 In an ordinary emergency they were useful, but on the 
 present occasion invaluable. 
 
 It did not take the old man much time to get ready. A 
 money belt round the waist and a brace of pistols in his 
 hip pockets were the only additions made to his everyday 
 apparel. With the caution peculiar to his former trade, he 
 slunk to the back door and peered into the prospect be- 
 yond, lest there should be any person there watching for 
 his exit. As he became satisfied that the place was unin- 
 cumbered by the presence of a detective, he motioned to 
 Danderton a farewell and disappeared. 
 
 A few hours afterwards some farmers returning from 
 Omaha to their homes on the Iowa side of the Missouri 
 River were overtaken and passed rapidly by a solitary
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 119 
 
 horseman unknown to them. To their salutation he 
 answered not a word or gesture ; but appeared to bend 
 with greater eagerness than before over the animal's mane, 
 urging him, no doubt, to quicker speed. The direction of 
 his course was southeast, and the clatter of his horse's 
 hoofs was heard long after he had disappeared from view. 
 
 Danderton took greater pains with the event of his 
 departure. The trunks intended to be sent after him as 
 freight, with personal effects, were examined and brought 
 together so as to facilitate their transit when Biles's mes- 
 sengers came to handle them. Like his father, he seemed 
 to ignore the necessity of baggage, for a gripsack, a money 
 belt, and a revolver were the only articles he designed to 
 carry or own on his intended journey. After a few hours' 
 uneasy rest he donned his best clothes, left the house by 
 the front door, and dropped into a restaurant adjoining 
 the stage office, where, when breakfast was concluded, he 
 left messages for his agent with the proprietor of the place. 
 Then, about the time the dancers at Herondine's wedding 
 were going home from Finnestare's with the impression 
 that there was at least one happy couple in the territory, 
 Danderton entered the first outgoing stage, sank heavily 
 into a corner seat, and with melancholy aspect saw familiar 
 objects pass him in review as if for the last time; while the 
 cumbersome vehicle, oscillating in the air, proceeded for- 
 ward, carrying him away from a home he might never see 
 again. 
 
 Whifton rode into Omaha about noon, not so much on 
 account of the nature of the general disturbance, of which 
 he had heard something, as to make inquiry at the post 
 office for mail matter. It will be remembered this was the 
 date on which he expected to receive the dynamite for
 
 120 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Hamilton Hitch, and the circumstance troubled him more 
 than he was willing to admit to a third party. Time, 
 however, with its variety of remedies for poor souls and 
 distressed bodies, lessened the burden of his cares on this 
 occasion. There was a letter for him all the way from 
 Europe telling him the explosive for which requisition had 
 been made was not available. The experiments tried had 
 not yet produced the article in a satisfactory shape ; but 
 when perfected, it said, a Boston firm, which was named, 
 would place it on the market, and then he might supply 
 his wants to any extent required. 
 
 This statement relieved his anxiety. So full of satisfac- 
 tion did he become on account of it, that he determined 
 on having an interview with his good friend Hamilton 
 Hitch, to whom he would communicate the contents of 
 the letter. In this connection, he believed the time had 
 come when it would be appropriate to call at the new resi- 
 dence and be entertained there instead of meeting around 
 the corners ofrthe streets or in a restaurant. In his estima- 
 tion this was progress, whether his doubts and suspicions 
 or the warnings of his instinct regarding the man were true 
 or false. 
 
 Imbued with this opinion, he directed his steps to the 
 Hitch residence; but what was his surprise, on arriving 
 there, to behold a sign in the front window on which was 
 inscribed in large characters the words "To Let," and 
 other appearances indicating that the house was unoccu- 
 pied. But this was not all. Transferring his glance to 
 Finnestare's, he observed active preparations around that 
 domicile as if the inmates were about to leave. A portion 
 of the fence had been thrown down the better to facilitate 
 the removal of furniture. Crates and boxes ready for
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 121 
 
 shipment were standing in the open spaces, and others 
 receiving their quota of personal effects from skilled pack- 
 ers specially employed for the occasion. A little apart 
 from these appeared a flaring notice, brief and to the point, 
 supported by a pole stuck into the ground, announcing 
 the place "For Sale"; and it was evident on all sides 
 that the venerated landmark was doomed to experience 
 great changes in the near future. 
 
 "Ah ! " exclaimed Whifton, turning away from the sad 
 scene, " they're going to clear out, bag and baggage ; it is 
 really so. What will become of the place, anyhow? " 
 
 Passing the bank on his way downtown, he saw that the 
 establishment was in new hands, held, of course, on the 
 old secure lines, and the management would soon, one of 
 the directors told him, commence the erection of a sub- 
 stantial structure where the business would be carried 
 forward on a larger basis and be a credit meaning an ad- 
 vantage to the city. 
 
 The subject of Grace Finnestare's marriage recurred to 
 his mind, but it aroused, instead of resentment or bad feel- 
 ing of any kind, sadness bitter and deep, such as a child 
 would feel on being deserted by its near friends. He wept 
 a little, silently, when no one saw him, and remarked, as 
 he pressed the tears from his eyes with his handkerchief: 
 
 " /would be no match for her, anyway. Why should I ? 
 How foolish I was ever to dream of such a thing ! So 
 beautiful a girl to be the wife of Crow Whifton would be 
 quite an impossibility. It is really so." 
 
 When the decision was rendered in the bracing atmos- 
 phere of the afternoon, he felt better. Then his attention 
 \vas directed into other channels. Remarks made by citi- 
 zens collected on the sidewalks regarding secession reached
 
 122 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 him as he proceeded downtown, and he soon began to 
 realize that this was the all-absorbing topic of the hour. 
 Every one of his acquaintances introduced the subject to 
 his notice, and he was still listening to opinions on the 
 probable results of it on society and the government when 
 Honeybone, the night watchman, appeared before him. 
 
 "Whif, by gosh! " said he. "How's secesh?" 
 
 " Just getting the news all in," replied Whifton. 
 
 Then, acting on a secret sign from Honeybone, which 
 consisted of a wink of the left eye so well pronounced that 
 the lower part of the cheek was drawn up as in spasm, he 
 grasped the arm of his friend, and they stepped off together 
 intent on reaching their old haunt at Cuffins's, where 
 cocktails and lemonade became the order of the day. 
 Whifton was quite liberal on this occasion. He felt it his 
 duty to act in this manner to meet excitement halfway and 
 also because some of the weight or mental strain on his 
 mind and heart had suddenly become less than heretofore. 
 
 He lent a willing ear to Honeybone while that doughty 
 night guardian described in unequivocal terms the short- 
 comings and inconsistencies of society along his beat as 
 interpreted by him, and made no sign indicating surprise 
 or emotion when the questionable conduct of Danderton 
 Hitch on the night of Herondine's speech-making was 
 spoken of. With a studied calmness which would be 
 noticeable to any one but the imbiber of cocktails, he 
 asked : 
 
 " Have you any idea what was he doing there at Finnes- 
 tare's?" 
 
 "Lookin* in," promptly answered his companion. 
 
 Whifton did not pursue the theme. He believed in 
 letting well enough alone. The failure of the dynamite to
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 123 
 
 arrive and the departure of the Hitches for parts unknown 
 removed all traces of incipient crime from him, or what 
 might have originated in disaster if not fortunately inter- 
 rupted. Now he need only keep silent, and he could yet 
 pass as a man free from suspicion as well as be accorded a 
 first place among the best citizens of the country. Thus 
 did he remain faithful to the deep designer who had bound 
 him to secrecy, and imagined his conscience free for ever- 
 more, forgetting that his resolution confirmed the previous 
 arrangement whereby he existed, body and soul, in the 
 depths of the first degree of crime, without, apparently, 
 a hope of complete freedom from them in the future. 
 
 When everything pertaining to the times had been freely 
 discussed and viewed from the standpoint of opinions held 
 by the speakers, the friends separated. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 WHAT HISTORY MUST RECORD. 
 
 FOLLOWING the overt act of secession, South Caro- 
 lina continued the initiative of provoking war. 
 Before the end of December, the authorities of the state 
 had seized Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie, military 
 works in Charleston harbor, and the United States arsenal 
 in the city of Charleston, with the public property con- 
 tained therein. Thus to secession were added aggression 
 and spoliation. 
 
 It became evident to the people of all classes in the 
 United States, as well as to the world at large, that these 
 aggressive acts were performed principally as examples for 
 other seceding states ; that they indicated the policy to be
 
 124 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 pursued by the combination, or confederacy, in future ; 
 and, finally, left no hope for a peaceful solution of the 
 question at issue to be entertained. The wisdom guiding 
 the seceders was at fault here. It would be no infringe- 
 ment on the sovereign rights of a free state, assuming 
 South Carolina to be such after secession, to permit the 
 United States to hold title to territory or military supplies 
 within its jurisdiction until an agreement had been reached 
 regarding its disposition. The appropriation to itself of 
 property to which it was not in any sense entitled would 
 be a sufficient cause for war, if nothing else had transpired 
 to induce it ; and the haste displayed in preparation for 
 hostilities seemed conclusive evidence that the men urging 
 such policy were fully alive to its responsibilities and what 
 it must inevitably entail. 
 
 It must be plain, also, that the overtures made by the 
 state commissioners about this time for formal indepen- 
 dence could have no weight under the circumstances ; 
 because war was actually in progress on their side, and 
 must be atoned for or resisted on its own principles and 
 with similar weapons by the authorities in Washington. 
 
 An opinion gained currency in the North which was 
 held by many worthy people that the South desired the 
 establishment of an oligarchy whose power would be more 
 extended even than the jurisdiction of a limited monarchy, 
 and whose pronounced class legislation should be as firmly 
 held by the sway of the sword as if it consisted of, and had 
 been modeled after, the eternal laws of the universe. The 
 arrogance displayed by the South in the first days of se- 
 cession, the exhibition of substantial force contrasted with 
 the absence of any military organization in the North, the 
 confiscation of the enemy's supplies wherever encountered,
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 125 
 
 and the resolution to adhere to slavery as heretofore, went 
 largely to confirm the truth of this opinion. 
 
 In imitation of South Carolina, other states seceded 
 during the month of January Mississippi, Florida, Ala- 
 bama, Georgia, and Louisiana and the Lone Star State, 
 Texas, February first. These acquisitions to the new 
 power enabled the leaders of it to organize a convention, 
 or representative body, which was afterwards known as a 
 provisional congress, with powers to elect a president and 
 vice-president and adopt a constitution suitable for its 
 requirements. 
 
 When these preliminary acts were completed, resulting 
 in the consolidation of the Confederate States of America 
 and the proclamation of its constitution and principles, 
 the enthusiasm of the people who espoused such cause rose 
 to immense proportions and permeated the public mind of 
 the civilized world. Statesmen, soldiers, scholars, and 
 other patriots flocked to the standard of the Confederacy 
 vowing they would sacrifice every consideration of emolu- 
 ment or convenience for the sole idea of offering assistance 
 to their respective states in the hour of trial. Many a man 
 had no other reason to give for his precipitate flight south 
 than that it was his native home, the place where he was 
 born, or that he could not deny his services to his native 
 state in the day of her distress. 
 
 These popular sentiments, well known to have been 
 associated with the history of mankind since the beginning 
 of tradition, are held in higher esteem than the niceties of 
 correct law, and constitute a potent cause for the division 
 in public opinion on the important question here noticed. 
 Perhaps a battle for love of home is as justifiable or meri- 
 torious as for absolute right, if the consequences be of more
 
 126 Iff THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 importance in the one case than the other and more likely 
 to secure substantial benefits to the parties concerned ; or, 
 perhaps, the invisible powers surrounding man never con- 
 templated having absolute right made a perception in 
 human understanding the better to enable that depart- 
 ment to operate in the limited sphere of its destiny but 
 to be merely an admirable atom capable of being discov- 
 ered among the many brilliants at their disposal. 
 
 Like an incoming tide that sets afloat the multifarious 
 craft lying idly on the shore, the growing strength of the 
 Confederacy induced thousands of wavering spirits to 
 espouse its cause. Congress, in Washington, made an 
 effort to conciliate the dissatisfied and disaffected by a 
 guarantee of non-interference with slavery as it then existed 
 in the states ; but this endeavor proved too weak before 
 the uncompromising measures of the South in its haste to 
 establish independence. The seizures and confiscations 
 continued in all the states pinning their fortunes to South 
 Carolina. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan, the President of the United States, while 
 deprecating secession, was not satisfied that Congress had 
 inherent power to make war on an individual state that 
 chose to secede. This seemed to afford a pretext to the 
 new Confederacy for believing its existence would be sus- 
 tained by the authority of civil law. Moreover, assurances 
 of support came from sources outside the United States. 
 Heretofore the South had been a market for the importa- 
 tion and sale of English goods, and it was freely asserted 
 that substantial aid and recognition from England would 
 be forthcoming at the proper time. 
 
 Nothing seemed to be wanting to this young nation in 
 its arrogant assertion of independence, coupled with dis-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 127 
 
 respect of others' privileges such as was claimed by the 
 North and disregard of the truth of principle. Yet the 
 hope, the enthusiasm, the concentration of power, and 
 this fair field of human expectation were blighted by the 
 calculations of false guides. The men who instigated 
 secession and fulminated war were responsible for the 
 conduct of the men who afterwards fought and bled for a 
 cause they believed sacred and just, and lost. At the cry 
 of "country" and "birthright," the soldier naturally 
 would not stop to inquire what nice intricacy of universal 
 law, superior to these watchwords and God-given to the 
 world when time began, was available by which he might 
 escape a fight ; nor would the statesman be deterred from 
 action, even if he knew of a higher motive for his conduct, 
 on seeing his country rent by barbarous usage and the folly 
 of ignorance. Hence, how terrible it is to lead a division 
 of mankind into an untenable position doomed to failure 
 and then witness the consequences the graves of the 
 brave men who fell, the wreck of friendships and family 
 ties, the vacant places that would never again be filled by 
 loved ones, the desolate homes, the suspension of industry, 
 and the cruel heart-burnings that spare neither age, sex, 
 nor condition ! 
 
 It was not through patriotism that the idea of secession 
 was conceived, nor in the calm reasonings of philosophy, 
 but by furious personal pride and ill-tempered assumption 
 of despotic right. It was the "mammon of iniquity," 
 the red hand of selfishness unrestrained by God's law, that 
 sought eternal rule for traffic in human beings and the 
 liberty to be unjust. Perhaps the men responsible for it, 
 in the first instance, belonged to a past age. Perhaps an 
 enemy scattered its baleful seeds on sensitive minds incap-
 
 128 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 able of resistance, or designed as a scheme to advance his 
 ulterior purposes to the detriment of America. Whatever 
 had been the cause of its origin in this particular case it 
 acquired notoriety, strength, and political recognition to a 
 greater extent than any other delusive project foisted on 
 the people since the acquisition of national independence, 
 only to betray the spurious nature of its birth, claims, and 
 pretensions. 
 
 If the delusion nursed by the followers of the Confeder- 
 acy at that time appeared on a large scale, the lesson 
 taught by its results has been far-reaching and instructive 
 to the world at large. It will be understood hereafter 
 that in any enterprise contemplated by men something 
 more than mere opinion or self-interest will be necessary 
 to guarantee complete success ; otherwise, the invisible 
 powers shall strike the operators with the rapidity of light- 
 ning, through the laws of circumstances or others equally 
 irresistible, and lay their plans in the dust. 
 
 One of the first officers of note assigned to military duty 
 under the Confederacy was General P. G. T. Beauregard, 
 a native of Louisiana, having been born near New Orleans 
 in 1818. He was not only a soldier of the first class, but 
 a man qualified to lead the army of any race or nation in 
 the world as general-in-chief. Graduating second in his 
 class at West Point Military Academy in 1838, he was 
 assigned to the artillery of the United States army, and 
 shortly afterwards transferred to the engineer corps, where 
 he distinguished himself for many years by careful attention 
 to his duties in the va$t field of operations demanding 
 his presence and that of his associates. 
 
 In recognition of his worth and to show the estimate of 
 his ability held by the Washington authorities, he was
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 129 
 
 detailed Superintendent of West Point towards the latter 
 part of the Buchanan administration. This position he 
 resigned the following month in order that he might enter 
 the service of the Confederate government; and, as a 
 result of this movement, he was assigned to the command 
 of the Confederate works in Charleston Harbor, South 
 Carolina, the day before the inauguration of President 
 Lincoln in Washington. This seemed to presage great 
 things for the South ; for General Beauregard was well 
 known in every state in the Union, and people believed 
 his military skill would go far in strengthening the party 
 of his choice. 
 
 The immediate effect of secession on the people loyal to 
 the North was the infliction of a kind of stupor, like an 
 individual who receives a sudden blow from an unexpected 
 source and becomes unable to determine how to proceed 
 either towards protection or retaliation. As the term of 
 the administration approached the end, public opinion 
 relieved it of the obligation to meet the new difficulty with 
 the earnestness of an incoming one ; but it must be said 
 that measures within the scope of its judgment were exe- 
 cuted promptly in the interests of the public spirit of the 
 North. Among these may be specially mentioned the 
 hasty summoning of General Winfield Scott, the veteran 
 general-in-chief of the United States army, to Washington 
 by the President, and the careful preparations made under 
 his supervision to ensure the safe inauguration of Mr. Buch- 
 anan's successor on the fourth of March. 
 
 There was a remarkable division in public opinion in 
 the North as to the righteousness of the Confederate claim 
 to independence, which pervaded all classes of people, 
 making it exceedingly difficult for the leaders of the Union
 
 130 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 cause to distinguish friends from foes. The regular army, 
 a little over sixteen thousand strong, had been distributed 
 through the vast territory of the United States and could 
 not readily be withdrawn without neglecting the frontier 
 duty to which it had been assigned. Disaffection appeared 
 in the ranks of some of the militia and volunteer organiza- 
 tions surrounding the national capital, and wild rumors 
 were circulated that the aggressive policy of the South 
 would be pushed so far as to attempt an interruption if not 
 a suppression of the government of the North altogether or 
 make it subservient to its dictation. 
 
 The patriotic spirit of the North did not long remain in 
 abeyance. Men could endure desertion and the raising of 
 a new standard in the South until reason should decide the 
 merits of such acts ; but when to every other offense here- 
 tofore enumerated was added the threat of invasion, with 
 supplementary measures such as would prevent the new 
 president of the northern states from taking his seat, then 
 patience had reached its limits. Many a gallant man 
 arose in his might and vowed he would dispute the passage 
 of the invaders single-handed if no one else rendered him 
 assistance. Hence, out of the lethargy of awe patriotism 
 began to strengthen itself. Like the long roll of distant 
 thunder on the approach of a storm, the murmurs of defi- 
 ance went back to the South as if they were the echoes of 
 its boldness. 
 
 It was at this time that Abraham Lincoln assumed the 
 duties of President of the United States. It may be said 
 no one of his predecessors in office was ever encumbered 
 with such enormous responsibilities as he, or around whose 
 individuality so much public care was congregated not 
 on account of the absence of willing hands to support his
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 131 
 
 administration, but because of the delicacy of the prin- 
 ciples he had been called upon to sustain, which, if suffered 
 to vary in the least particular, would change the current of 
 future events in the United States adversely forever with- 
 out hope of recall. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Ken- 
 tucky, February twelfth, 1809, and was therefore fifty-two 
 years of age at the time of his inauguration as President of 
 the United States. His ancestors came from England 
 and settled in Massachusetts but gradually moved south- 
 ward through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and 
 Kentucky, following the general habit, or law, peculiar to 
 all men of each generation, seeking new homes. In those 
 days Kentucky was covered with vast forests, and afforded 
 a speculative field for explorers and men of enterprise. 
 Under the inspiring example of Daniel Boone, a celebrated 
 hunter and pioneer, Mr. Lincoln's grandfather emigrated 
 to that state and joined the common lot of those who un- 
 dertook to transform the wildness of territorial inaction to 
 the prosperous condition of husbandry. 
 
 When only seven years of age, Mr. Lincoln experienced 
 one of those changes that had characterized the previous 
 history of the family. His father moved to Indiana for 
 the purpose of establishing a new home in a still wilder 
 territory than the one just vacated. After two years' res- 
 idence here, his good mother died ; and, his father marry- 
 ing a second wife, the boy, so far from making any com- 
 plaint or becoming testy or stubborn under the new regime 
 in the household, began rather to exhibit that wonderful 
 individual magnanimity which afterwards distinguished 
 him through life. Like the great character mentioned in 
 Christian history, he became subservient to the condition
 
 132 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 of his surroundings and faithfully discharged the duties of 
 his position. These were of an arduous character, includ- 
 ing the sturdy feats of a pioneer, which were sufficiently 
 aggressive and tedious to neutralize the ardor of the most 
 willing mind ; yet the youth did not bend beneath the 
 burden imposed upon him, but, on the contrary, grew to 
 great strength and stature, attaining a height, when twenty- 
 one, of six feet four inches. 
 
 The characteristic attached to him of being a good son 
 was only one feature of his individualism. Wherever his 
 opinions were heard, they indicated a depth of penetration 
 into philosophic truths uncommon to men of his time, and 
 a scope or broadness of views on current topics far beyond 
 most of his political contemporaries. It may be readily 
 conceded, therefore, that he was a lover of knowledge and 
 sought its attainments under the most difficult circum- 
 stances, and, it may be said, without cessation. 
 
 Not being fully satisfied with the Indiana homestead, 
 the elder Mr. Lincoln instituted a further change in 1830, 
 and began the preparation and construction of another 
 home of a similar character in Macon County, Illinois. 
 The son, then grown to manhood, not only favored the 
 simple earnestness of his father to afford him all the grati- 
 fication possible, but, yielding to the necessities of the 
 case, began the work of reclamation on the new land with 
 the physical powers and energy of a giant. Nothing, 
 perhaps, in the whole course of his career is so suggestive 
 of a noble nature as this act, or series of acts, performed in 
 the paternal interest. He raised no doubt as to the wis- 
 dom of the undertaking, intervened no counter opinions 
 likely to detract from the merits of the original design, or 
 stipulated regarding compensation for his own extraordi-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 133 
 
 nary efforts. No : on the contrary, he praised the excel- 
 lence of the place and left nothing undone on his own part 
 to bring all the details connected with the arrangement of 
 the farm to a successful termination. When his work was 
 finished, when his father's heart was happy in contemplat- 
 ing the realization of his wishes through the instrumentality 
 of his son, young Lincoln left the paternal home to seek his 
 fortune in a world distracted by rival issues and party strife. 
 
 The history of his career during this period reaching to 
 the nomination for the presidency reveals the struggles of 
 a man inspired by the love of rectitude fighting on the 
 front line for all that men hold to be just, noble, and hu- 
 mane. The two characteristics tending most to distinguish 
 persons in this world namely, honesty and truth were 
 held by him in an eminent degree. It was not difficult, 
 therefore, to understand or mistake his character with 
 these far-famed qualifications as the leading points of it, 
 for his purposes were so molded in rectitude and his speech 
 so emphatically true that he stood above reproach before 
 friends and foes alike. Crafty men sneered at him ; but 
 their ridicule became insignificant in his presence, like the 
 imbecile howling of dogs in the moonlight. 
 
 There was deep design in selecting such a man as stand- 
 ard-bearer for the party from which so much justice was 
 expected. The world at large would estimate his weaknesses 
 and his worth by old or new standards according to the 
 degree of intelligence with which it was endowed, and the 
 factions controlled by these decisions might gloat over the 
 one or the other as best suited their ideas ; but such pro- 
 nounced virtues as those above mentioned could not escape 
 recognition, even by the most illiterate, any more than the 
 sea could be denied immensity or the earth fruitfulness.
 
 134 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 It was singular how his conduct stood, unchanged, the 
 crucial tests of place and power. What he had been in 
 his native state he was in the glory of the highest position 
 the world could bestow on any individual a modest man, 
 sensible and upright. The pride which follows and en- 
 compasses title, the enthusiasm that obstructs the votary of 
 party in the pursuit of knowledge, and the malice generated 
 in the heart of an enemy were not with him. In his con- 
 science and in his soul he possessed the freedom of a man 
 who stood near God; because he aimed to disseminate 
 justice to the world as that justice came from the Supreme 
 Power, undeterred by flattery or threat. What need had 
 he of the tinsel which bedecks the apartments and the official 
 gown of the great, the strut of consequence, the exclusiveness 
 of vanity, the disrespect of arrogance, or the red eye of 
 bloated pride, while the purity of principle encompassed 
 him and the dignity of law was the guide of his actions? 
 
 In his official life, the same definite purpose and freedom 
 from confusion of ideas could be discerned. No one mis- 
 understood his policy. All the requirements of his party, 
 supplemented by what he himself demanded, appeared 
 under two headings: "The Integrity of the Union " and 
 " The Abolition of Slavery." These were as plain as the 
 decalogue, and more concise. Substitute, compromise, 
 and trickery were out of the question, as well as the doubts 
 of friends and enemies as to the justness of his course, 
 while his determination to adhere to his policy was not 
 influenced in the least degree. He must have seen the 
 subtle design of God and nature for the union of mankind, 
 regulated by just law in each nation, state, community, 
 family, and individual, but more especially the moral 
 right of every one to be free from cruel bondage.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 135 
 
 Beyond the barriers thrown up against him he saw the 
 great light that must come to the world by means of law, 
 making men and women lose their dissensions and unchar- 
 itableness so as to mingle with the spirit of the universe, 
 in peace, justice, and love. This was the vision that up- 
 held his soul in the hours of trial such as he was obliged to 
 endure ; this the force which propelled his will, self-bal- 
 anced in right, under circumstances appalling to the brav- 
 est heart and capable of subverting to inferior claims and 
 purposes the most brilliant intelligence of the age. 
 
 Nothing can surpass faithfulness. It is an attribute of 
 the Supreme Power, the energy that never sleeps but oper- 
 ates on the design of motion in material without the loss 
 of an instant in a thousand years. The individuality of 
 Mr. Lincoln merged with it into the great powers above 
 the common methods of solving questions of the day ; 
 therefore he could not be moved by or made to descend 
 into shades through which the light of his future world had 
 not yet penetrated. It was not a faith that inspired him ; 
 what he fought for he knew. It was the real instead of the 
 ideal ; that which was practicable as against mere theory ; 
 the further resolution of chaotic disturbance into order ; 
 the bringing of man's rules to a parallel or to harmonize 
 with the eternal law of the universe. 
 
 Stimulated by Mr. Lincoln's confidence and courage, 
 the North went vigorously to work in the preparation for 
 war. Men of great patriotism appeared, ready to give 
 their lives as well as their fortunes to sustain the Union. 
 It soon became evident that the celerity and boldness of 
 the South were not enough to dissipate belief in the Union 
 cause in the minds of Northern men. There would be 
 some delay in organizing forces, but the North would meet
 
 136 
 
 the South to test the issue the latter had induced by the 
 strength of arms. Noncombatants saw the signs indica- 
 ting the near approach of battle until suspense became 
 painful; then, in fear and trembling, listened for the 
 sounds. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 AN IMPRESSIVE TRANSFORMATION. 
 
 THE precipitate flight of Hamilton Hitch and his son 
 Danderton from Omaha was not executed with 
 greater energy than Herondine's movement to the East at 
 the call of duty. Being one of the leading spirits of the 
 Republican Party, and having accomplished much of what 
 he had journeyed westward to perform, he recognized the 
 utility of immediate consultation with his associates so as 
 to strengthen the government at Washington with as much 
 voluntary assistance as possible. The time had come when 
 theory and speculation must give way to stern reality, and 
 patriotism be made to bear the test of danger and hardship 
 without complaint. 
 
 It was then the members of Herondine's household 
 awoke to the full realization of what war required. They 
 had been congregated into the New York residence under 
 the most friendly auspices. Aunt Frill and Aunt Funton 
 had given a royal reception to Herondine and his lovely 
 bride ; had assigned the most comfortable quarters in the 
 establishment to Judge Finnestare ; made Madam Glori- 
 ana happy by installing her housekeeper and Felice cook;
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 137 
 
 as well as that they reached out and pressed an arm of 
 choice society into service so as to furnish entertainment 
 or amusement suitable to the persons interested. Now, 
 however, when the genial influence of the management of 
 his good aunts began to be felt like the sunshine of happy 
 hours, Herondine arose and announced his intention 
 of offering his service to the Federal government. It 
 seemed a great hardship to deprive this family of such a 
 man under the conditions named, yet there was no remedy 
 by which his departure could be averted consistent with 
 his former professions of patriotism. His country claimed 
 him, and he must go. 
 
 It was,about two months after their arrival in New York 
 when this important change took place. The morning 
 Herondine left his home there was sobbing in almost every 
 apartment of the house. Grace Herondine, his wife, was 
 pale and anxious-looking while her husband had been mak- 
 ing preparations to depart ; but when she saw his manly 
 form disappear in the street, leaving her lonely and desolate, 
 she burst into loud wailing. The aunts also appeared 
 broken-hearted, knowing full well the significance and the 
 results of an encounter with the pending dangers of war. 
 
 " I would be reconciled if it was anybody else myself, 
 for instance," said Aunt Frill. "The idea of allowing such 
 a fine man, who, after all, is only a boy, to go to the war 
 to be killed is pitiful just outrageous." 
 
 " It is the quintessence of effervescence of reminiscence, 
 or the diabolical made plain to the mind's eye," said Aunt 
 Funton, who, when laboring under unusual excitement, 
 generally made use of learned language so as to emphasize 
 her sentiments in the hearing of her associates. " This comes 
 of his not staying with Constitutional Union."
 
 138 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "My dear Funton," replied Aunt Frill, "while I ac- 
 knowledge you in the right, say rather it was an ill wind 
 that blew him into the party that now claims him; and, 
 laying all matters aside, he should have run on Douglas if 
 not on the square." 
 
 As these remarks were made in the presence of Grace, 
 she answered : 
 
 "Let us be reconciled to what suited him best according 
 to his own convictions of right, and it will please him 
 hereafter to know it when he shall be menaced by danger 
 and difficulty." 
 
 Then the household, under the old management and the 
 new, began its allotted duties, so as to relieve the members 
 of it of the pain which Herondine's sudden departure had 
 created. 
 
 In the meantime Herondine journeyed to Washington 
 without delay. His heart beat in unison with the popular 
 sentiment of the loyal men of the North, and his ideas 
 burned with fervor for its institutions. He was prepared 
 to undertake any duty, no matter how arduous, to prove 
 the sincerity of his attachment to his country's cause, if 
 further proof was necessary after seeing he had given up 
 home for it and all else dear to him in this world. 
 
 When he arrived in Washington, the city appeared to be 
 overrun with transients men destined for all branches of 
 military service, as well as strangers from outlying cities 
 and states, besides hucksters, bummers, loafers, pimps, 
 thieves, and camp followers. The non combatants of the 
 latter type here enumerated had been forced from their 
 usual haunts at other points by the prospect in store for 
 them during the inauguration of President Lincoln, which 
 would take place next day, and the disturbed condition
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 139 
 
 of society at the national capital thereafter owing to the 
 war spirit of the times. 
 
 Looking leisurely at the city itself, he concluded the 
 plan of it had been designed for future generations instead 
 of for the people of the present ; its streets were unusually 
 wide, some of the public buildings remained unfinished, 
 and the population appeared limited far more than his 
 previous conceptions of the place indicated. However, he 
 was fairly pleased with the situation, which was level and 
 extensive, flanked by a noble river, the Potomac, on one 
 side, whose placidity and solemn grandeur appeared con- 
 spicuous. He was favorably impressed, also, with the size 
 and make-up of the capitol, whose white walls glistening 
 in the sunshine made a resplendent vision, especially as it 
 stood on elevated ground at the head of Pennsylvania 
 Avenue, which people called the avenue, although there 
 were others in the city. 
 
 Having met some of his political friends in the capitol 
 as previously arranged, and accepted a position relative to 
 the ceremonies projected for the following day, he stopped 
 for a few minutes in the rotunda, which is under the dome, 
 for the purpose of examining minutely the large painting 
 there of the surrender of General Burgoyne. It was while 
 turning away from the picture that he encountered the 
 smiling face of a man who stood in his path and, raising 
 his right hand, gave the military salute to indicate he was at 
 Herondine's service. 
 
 "A bummer," thought Herondine, as he scrutinized the 
 fellow's campaign hat jauntily set on one side of his head 
 and the dark blue clothing worn by him, which stood 
 much in need of repairs. As he remained passive an
 
 140 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 instant, Herondine continued to examine him from the 
 standpoint of his ideas as held at that time. 
 
 He was of medium size, by no means soldierly looking 
 nor athletic, but one who seemed formed to create merri- 
 ment on some stages of life if not in a theater. He exhib- 
 ited capacity to produce facial expressions of a comic 
 character, was demure to the extent of being noticeable, 
 and of a cheerful disposition although evidently in em- 
 barrassed circumstances. Seeing him once, his identity 
 could easily be established afterwards on account of the 
 bridge of his nose being curved instead of straight, the 
 convex part of the curvature projecting toward the left side. 
 
 "What do you seek? " inquired Herondine. 
 
 "A friend," answered the man promptly; "and," he 
 continued, "service." 
 
 Herondine reflected as if stunned by an objective 
 thought : he would, no doubt, need the services of a man, 
 no matter what his situation in the future, for, pay or no 
 pay, he could afford it on his own account ; but would 
 this strange specimen of mankind meet all requirements ? 
 Would he be reliable and fearless? Because in the present 
 emergency and on future occasions he could not tolerate a 
 coward. Roused by these thoughts, he continued the 
 dialogue. 
 
 " What are your qualifications? " 
 
 "I practiced shuffling a good deal in the past," said 
 the man. " In taking change from a woman, for instance, 
 or from a person not well posted in counting, I generally 
 moved the coins around on the counter or table until the 
 other party became confused, when I would insist that the 
 amount coming to me was short. In this way I gained a 
 trifle."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 141 
 
 " Was your name connected with this kind of business? " 
 asked Herondine in surprise. 
 
 "Why, yes; and largely, too, let me tell you. In New 
 York, which is my birthplace, although I spent a good 
 deal of time in Missouri, it was a common remark of 
 people in sending some of the family to market, ' Take 
 care you do not meet Furflew the shuffler ! ' My full name 
 is Bannister Furflew. I could not be convicted of theft, 
 because I pretended I was doing right. A large part of 
 the world is at the same game. I know them. Shufflers 
 every one of 'em." 
 
 Herondine appeared utterly astounded at the cool delib- 
 eration of this speech. The audacious assurance of the 
 man was most provoking. 
 
 "Do you imagine," he said, "I could possibly take a 
 man of your character and antecedents into my service?" 
 
 "Oh, yes," replied Furflew in alight manner. "I'm 
 honest with you. I tell you the whole truth from the 
 start, which is more than your men of good character 
 would do. Besides, this accomplishment may be of some 
 use in future. The times demand every class of persons 
 and all they are capable of doing. This was not my regu- 
 lar profession, however." 
 
 "What business did you follow ?" asked Herondine 
 anxiously. 
 
 "Trick of the loop," said the man with a bland smile. 
 
 Herondine groaned. The airing of such degradation 
 deprived him of the partial control of his powers and in- 
 duced the production of the involuntary sound above men- 
 tioned. 
 
 Furflew resumed : 
 
 " I turned my wits into the wrong channel, you'll say.
 
 142 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 It amused me, like men who fish and hunt in a fair field. 
 I did not force people to play the game. If they lost, 
 they got some value for it pleasure and experience. 
 On this account it may not be so bad as people make out. 
 They want something to remind them they commit foolish 
 mistakes sometimes. When a greenhorn supposes he can 
 win from a professional and tries his hand at it, he is 
 guilty of such a blunder." 
 
 "You are amusing, to say the least," remarked Heron- 
 dine, who began to relax the rigid aspect he had shown in 
 his first judgment of Furflew. "What other praiseworthy 
 accomplishments are you master of ? " 
 
 " I do a little at juggling, sleight of hand, and ventrilo- 
 quism." 
 
 Herondine laughed until his shoulders shook with the 
 bubbling of the merriment within him; then, suddenly 
 becoming grave, inquired : 
 
 ' ' Are you courageous ? ' ' 
 
 " Not much. I would run away in a fight or dodge it if 
 I had a chance." 
 
 "I want a thoroughly fearless man," said Herondine, 
 with a lofty air. 
 
 "There ain't no sich critter," returned Furflew sarcas- 
 tically. " You may suppose you have him, like attempting 
 to catch a notorious insect; but when you examine the 
 place where he should be, he ain't in it." 
 
 As the expression on Herondine's face indicated hesi- 
 tancy, Furflew urged other reasons in his own favor, as a 
 last resort. 
 
 " When I get a place and regular pay, I'll drop my law- 
 ful profession," he said. "If I was careful before while 
 carrying on a little game on the side agreeable to the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 143 
 
 players, whose business was it? Not the 'cop's,' if I know 
 myself. I knew men who spoke against me play a dog- 
 gone worse trick and yet thought they were some pump- 
 kins. Don't find fault with me on that account. I'll 
 attend to things, you bet, and tell you the bottom facts of 
 every case, which will come in handy for you." 
 
 " But," said Herondine, who was going to add that Fur- 
 flew's conduct in the past would disgrace him in the future 
 and on this account could not possibly employ him, when 
 he was restrained from such course by counter thoughts ap- 
 pealing to his charitable nature in favor of the unfortunate 
 man. Besides, he could, of course, discharge him at any 
 time, and withhold the description or record of his former 
 career from his wife or friends. 
 
 Whether Furflew understood the nature of Herondine' s 
 reflections or believed his own tactics to be insufficient 
 to accomplish his present purpose, he changed the tenor of 
 his appeal. 
 
 "I was taken by your appearance," he said, "because 
 you resembled a friend of mine. Not a relation, but a 
 young man I used to meet in Union Square, New York, 
 who listened to all my foolish ideas and advised me what 
 to do. You should have seen him ! He was such a 
 gentleman ! Wouldn't say you were a doggone fool on no 
 account. Full of smart talk and learning of every kind 
 was that youngster. He could read your thoughts like a 
 brick. You are surprised ! I tried him at it. I guess he 
 held his own and wasn't put out. He could look through 
 you ; that was the extent of it. When we got acquainted I 
 made him laugh every time. I walked with him round the 
 square, mind you, often, but he never showed the least sign 
 that he didn't want me."
 
 144 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 During the delivery of the above narrative, Herondine's 
 cheeks grew purple, and at its conclusion he asked : 
 
 " What was the name of your friend ? " 
 
 " Rob Riddleton," answered the man. 
 
 "Dear me!" resumed Herondine, "how odd that is! 
 Riddleton is a special friend of mine indeed, one for 
 whom I have the greatest regard. I received valuable in- 
 structions from him, for he is a ripe scholar. We exchanged 
 visits, dined occasionally at noted places of public resort; 
 but latterly I have not met him. Where it he? " 
 
 "Went south a year ago. Said he would serve the 
 North in the coming troubles, and hinted he was in the 
 employment of the rising political party." 
 
 " I am glad to hear it," said Herondine. "I suppose you 
 will now expect Rob Riddleton 's friend to give you the 
 means of making a living. Well, call on me the day after 
 tomorrow, and I may find something to suit your case. 
 Remember you must be faithful to your duties, whatever 
 they be.". 
 
 "You bet your bottom dollar," said Furflew earnestly. 
 
 After handing the man a card on which his address had 
 been written, Herondine turned away, and soon after left 
 the capitol, while Furflew rubbed his hands with such man- 
 ifest delight that those who witnessed the exhibition be- 
 lieved him temporarily insane or a born lunatic. 
 
 When the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as President 
 of the United States was completed without the interrup- 
 tion of malicious disturbances as expected, Herondine vis- 
 ited the War Department. As he did not desire a com- 
 mission in the line or staff of the army or service on board 
 a man-of-war, he was offered .the control of the Secret 
 Service Bureau, an institution little known to ordinary
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 145 
 
 people, but one that rendered most important services in 
 the time of need. Not only did the operation of this 
 bureau extend from the Saint Lawrence to the Rio Grande, 
 from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but the friends of the ad- 
 ministration even were subjected to espionage, so decid- 
 edly obtrusive in its character as to be dreaded as much as 
 a plague. 
 
 The highest position given under the auspices of secret 
 service was commissioner ; the lowest, spy : although both 
 might be convertible in an emergency. The genius dis- 
 played in the business of the bureau was excellent, and 
 would have done honor to the strategic inner work of a 
 secret society. All agents were to act in an independent 
 manner and be known only to the director at headquarters; 
 but they carried certain signs whereby men in a lower rank 
 or class might procure assistance, when necessary, from 
 those of a higher one, if present, who understood them. 
 The headquarters of the Western Division was at Saint 
 Louis. Declining the chieftanship as tending to confine him 
 inordinately to office work in Washington, Herondine chose 
 to accept a roving commission as best adapted to his wishes, 
 and through his solicitation was empowered also to employ 
 Furflew as attendant, or helper, with the rank of spy. 
 
 When the man reported at the appointed time, Heron- 
 dine made him acquainted with some of his duties ; in fact, 
 he delivered a speech with a far more serious air than if he 
 had an audience of five thousand people before him. 
 
 "Bannister Furflew," he said, "consider yourself under 
 pay from this date. The amount will be one hundred 
 dollars per month, with perquisites. These additional allow- 
 ances shall be subject to my examination and approval. 
 While in my service, you must hold no allegiance for any
 
 146 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 one else. You must be mine, soul and body. Our busi- 
 ness will be to collect information of the movements or 
 intentions of the Confederacy, so as to aid our own govern- 
 ment in similar undertakings. Ask me no questions, write 
 no letters, give no opinion to strangers about the North one 
 way or another, and conceal your real character by every 
 means in your power. Undoubtedly we shall be in the 
 midst of war very soon. In that case, if your profession 
 was known to the authorities of the South, you would be 
 shot on sight. This, however, gives only half of the perils to 
 which your condition may be subject : for instance, betray 
 the trust reposed in you by me, and death will be the for- 
 feit of your treachery." 
 
 " I had an idea once," said Furflew, " that shuffling was 
 a dangerous game ; but gracious ! it was the pink of perfec- 
 tion compared with this. I won money at trick of the 
 loop by giving the hand a simple turn of the wrist ; but 
 golly ! there ain't no loophole to crawl through in the 
 new job any more than if I was screwed up in my coffin." 
 
 "Be careful," resumed Herondine, "and you will be 
 exposed to less danger than if you were in the field. Play 
 a dual part ; that is, be two men in one, but never what 
 you really are." 
 
 " I might shove my old trade on the side," said Furflew. 
 
 "I approve it," replied Herondine, promptly. "I be- 
 lieve it will be legitimate for the first time, under the cir- 
 cumstances. Now, furthermore, you must always deliver 
 your reports verbally : write nothing on paper. When we 
 are in secret session, the sign that I am ready to receive 
 reports will be my two hands held up with the fingers 
 apart. At these sessions you will be at liberty to ask ques- 
 tions."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 147 
 
 " It would be handy to learn the dumb language," re- 
 marked Furflew, with a long face. 
 
 Herondine smiled, but resumed in a business way : 
 
 " Are you ready to take the ironclad oath? " 
 
 "Oh! ah!" stammered the man, "it's risky, but the 
 pay's good. One must do something for a living, and if 
 killed today you cannot be killed tomorrow ; so here goes." 
 
 Furflew then held up his hand while Herondine read for 
 him the celebrated ironclad oath which persons in the em- 
 ployment of the government at that time had been accus- 
 tomed to take. Then the instructions continued. 
 
 " Our first expedition will be to Charleston, South Car- 
 olina; you will go there in advance of me and employ 
 rooms. I am to be known as Brother Fishington, prepar- 
 ing for the ministry of the Methodist Church, and therefore 
 desirous of seclusion, the better to prosecute this design. 
 Say I'm a Southern man, born in Louisiana, where you 
 knew my father and grandfather, as well as my cousins on 
 the mother's side, the Rungates. These details should be 
 given to the person in the private house where I am to 
 room and board, preferably a lady of the Methodist persua- 
 sion, so as to harmonize with the character assumed. 
 Avoid the hotels. You can take up your quarters in a 
 boarding house or move round from house to house to suit 
 your convenience. Let no place accessible escape you. 
 Hear everything and forget nothing. Meet me in the 
 suburbs of the city, the last station on the railroad, so as to 
 get me into quarters without having to submit to the scru- 
 tiny prevailing at the depot." 
 
 " There is one thing I'd like to know, just out of curios- 
 ity," said Furflew. " Why is it necessary to give the secret 
 sign if we are alone, anyhow ? "
 
 148 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Pausing to reflect an instant, Herondine answered : 
 " I might have some one in the closet, you foolish man." 
 "Ah! " exclaimed Furflew, seriously, " ain't I doggone, 
 though? It never struck me before." 
 
 "Now," resumed Herondine, "such questions only 
 waste time and do not properly pertain to your duties. 
 Every regulation of this kind has been instituted for more 
 reasons than one: therefore in future if you should hear 
 strange sounds, instead of asking for explanations ascribe 
 them to the family jar next door ; or see curious sights, 
 rub your eyes and believe a mirage is coming up. Don't 
 be a fool if you can help it. ' ' 
 
 After this wholesome lesson, and armed with the neces- 
 sary expenses, Furflew-departed for the South. The dispo- 
 sition he possessed previously of enlivening dull life with 
 mirthful sallies and good jokes seemed to have been 
 brought up to a round turn or changed within a few hours 
 to the deep gravity of a man who had heard a series of 
 sermons on death and damnation. Unquestionably Fur- 
 flew exhibited a long face and a sickly pallor while journey- 
 ing to his destination, and kept closer to his corner in the 
 smoking car, where he had gone to escape observation, 
 than at any other time during his life. 
 
 He debated with himself. Would he ever return? Was 
 escape possible ? His final answer to these questions was, 
 "yes"; but mark you what a glorious thing it was that he 
 knew the arts of shuffling, juggling, trick of the loop, and 
 ventriloquism, for upon these he depended to secure the 
 desired immunity from detection. Ah! what vile men 
 there are in the world, he thought, who tried to persuade 
 him he was iniquitous, whereas he was only painstaking. 
 See what he would do in the South. Turn the minds of
 
 THE fVA'ST DEGREE. 149 
 
 the people on to his entertaining exhibitions, thus afford- 
 ing them profit and amusement and security for himself ! 
 Reflections like these soon inspired confidence, and with 
 confidence soon came buoyancy of spirits. When he 
 entered Charleston he could smile. Remembering the char- 
 acter that Herondine was to assume, Furflew went to work 
 with a will to secure quarters for him, after he had engaged 
 accommodations for himself at a commonplace hotel. 
 His method was quite efficient. Based on information 
 received from his host, he visited the Methodist church in 
 the evening during the progress of an entertainment to 
 liquidate the pastor's indebtedness. There he inquired of 
 some of the congregation for the most responsible lady in 
 the community who would be likely to room and board a 
 man preparing for the ministry. He was told there was a 
 Mrs. Whirlston, wife of an elder a widow, however, as 
 the poor man was dead. She lived in a neat house on a 
 retired street, and was actually the life of society. Noth- 
 ing could goon or off, for the matter of that without 
 her. 
 
 Next day Furflew saw the lady and her house and her 
 rooms. He told her how Brother Fishington had run against 
 him in Louisiana at one time and he wanted now to recip- 
 rocate in hunting up for him respectable lodgings. The lady 
 seemed well pleased with the proposition; so the room 
 was engaged. 
 
 Then Furflew turned his attention to Herondine's arrival. 
 As originally arranged, he stepped off the cars in the sub- 
 urbs of Charleston. Furflew saw him approach as he sat in 
 the waiting room of the station, and actually opened his 
 mouth in wonder at the transformation he had undergone 
 since seeing him last. The long black coat, the white
 
 150 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 necktie, the felt hat, the broad, flat boots, and the sancti- 
 monious air were present ; and, taking off his hat, it 
 might be seen that his hair came in bangs over his forehead 
 a fashion much courted by professional men, not except- 
 ing some generals, authors, and circus clowns, probably on 
 account of a wise provision of nature which fascinates the 
 minds of its victims so as to be able to bring them all, in 
 this manner, on a level. 
 
 "Brother Fishington," said Furflew, taking Herondine 
 by the hand, " How do you do since I saw you in Louisi- 
 ana ? ' ' Then he winked his off eye, the one farthest from 
 observers, and said in a low voice : " You beat me ; you're 
 perfect." 
 
 "Very well, I thank you," answered Herondine in a 
 general way. "Ah ! by the bye, what is your name? " he 
 continued. 
 
 " How soon the brethren forget ! " said Furflew. " My 
 name is Curler." 
 
 Then the conversation drifted into topics such as citizens 
 of Charleston would be most likely to pursue at that time, 
 until they reached the house where Herondine was to stay. 
 When the landlady appeared, Furflew, advancing, said with 
 a great show of ceremony : 
 
 " Madam, this is Brother Fishington. Brother, Mrs. 
 Whirlston." 
 
 Then he turned and went away ; but as soon as he found 
 himself alone in the street, he threw up his hands before 
 him with the ringers open, to signify to himself he was in 
 secret session, and said : 
 
 " If that ain't the softest billet in this here town, I'll be 
 doggone ! "
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 151 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 WHAT CAME FROM THE DARKNESS. 
 
 HERONDINE found Mrs. Whirlston an estimable 
 woman, with large motherly sympathies, good 
 household ability, and an active watchfulness directed 
 towards the coffers of her acquaintances for the benefit of 
 the church. In person she was of medium size, weighing 
 about one hundred and fifty pounds, comfortably fat, 
 vigorous in health, jolly tempered, and showing little, if 
 any, signs of physical decay, although her only daughter, 
 Cynthia, was marriageable. 
 
 One might suppose that Herondine, or Brother Fishing- 
 ton, would be given the best room in the house,' not only 
 on account of his relationship to the church but because he 
 appeared the superior man in the well-fitting disguise as- 
 sumed by him ; but his landlady thought otherwise, for the 
 reason that this sacred precinct of the establishment had 
 been reserved for the accommodation of company or tran- 
 sient visitors, without whose society she did not think it 
 possible to exist. Besides exchanging visits with a set 
 scattering from good to medium, she entertained. Hence 
 the apartment referred to, known as the front parlor, where 
 these meetings or entertainments took place must be as 
 free from ordinary intrusion as the region of the gods. It 
 was also tastefully, if not sumptuously, furnished. In the 
 earnest desire to keep out flies, fresh air, sunshine, and 
 light were more or less excluded, giving the place a vault- 
 like odor as well as a sepulchral aspect. However, all 
 these appearances were fashionable then and there, and 
 may be elsewhere.
 
 152 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Herondine's accommodation was by no means neg- 
 lected. His bedroom was on the second floor; and Mrs. 
 Whirlston's own sitting room, a cosy apartment on a line 
 with the parlor, but inward, backward, and sideward, 
 would be at his service on all occasions, which went far to 
 show that he actually fared better in the end than a person 
 would imagine at first sight. 
 
 Miss Cynthia, to whom he was introduced, appeared 
 delicate and somewhat passive in her manner or methods ; 
 devoted, however, to church meetings, Sunday schools, 
 and kindergarten work ; and exhibited no interest what- 
 ever in the manly form of Herondine, which was heartily 
 appreciated by him. He was informed in confidence by 
 her mother that Miss Cynthia had an admirer named Tup- 
 pins, a small man with sloping shoulders and a tallow- 
 looking face, living with a small farmer beyond the sub- 
 urbs of the city. He had come once a week, generally on 
 Sunday evenings, for years without indicating in any way 
 what his intentions were or what he proposed to do. It 
 was believed he had been spellbound, both by the splendor 
 of the parlor when illuminated and the charm of the young 
 lady's society, and could not move one way or another, 
 backwards or forwards. As he was the sole support of an 
 aged mother, the usual excuse offered for such imbecility, 
 his visits were tolerated; besides, there were no rivals in 
 the case : better have him, perhaps, than none at all. 
 
 The form of entertainment given to Tuppins resolved 
 itself into one program the year round. First, on entering, 
 Miss Cynthia played and sang for him the celebrated 
 melody, "Carry Me Over the River"; then there was an 
 interval for conversation on hopes and fears. The second 
 part was filled up by " Weigh Your Anchor with the Tide,"
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 153 
 
 followed by reports or opinions on the conduct of others, 
 unjustly termed " scandal " by the outside world ; and the 
 night's amusement closed with " When We Meet in Zion." 
 After this, Tuppins went slowly into the night like one half 
 asleep a condition presumably correct, seeing that the 
 time of his departure was midnight. 
 
 A few days' experience in his new character convinced 
 Herondine that he never had made such a miscalculation 
 as when he imagined he could live a secluded life as the 
 roomer of Mrs. Whirlston. When it became known that 
 a brother preparing for the ministry was boarding at her 
 house, the place was besieged by visitors, and, what was 
 most embarrassing, all wanted to see him. His name be- 
 came like a familiar word that had been echoed abroad. 
 It was Brother Fishington here and Brother Fishington 
 there, the student this and the scholar that. Mrs. Whirl- 
 ston told the people interested that he would be pastor the 
 next term. Therefore hope ran high in expectation of 
 hearing him preach, as he was a fluent speaker and a hand- 
 some man. 
 
 All this brought a cloud over the inner life of Heron- 
 dine. He actually considered how he might escape noto- 
 riety by falling downstairs and dislocating some of his 
 joints so as to be confined to his room without interrup- 
 tion or scrutiny. He abandoned the idea, however, on 
 calling to mind the case of a popular man of his acquaint- 
 ance confined to his residence by sickness ; how the door- 
 bell had to be muffled with the piano cover, the blinds 
 drawn down as if the individual were dead, the stairs 
 strewn with additional carpeting, and a guard placed at 
 each door of the house to prevent forcible entrance, while 
 the invalid trembled beneath the bedclothes with fear as if
 
 154 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 he had the ague. No, it would be better, he thought, to 
 remain in condition, so as to be qualified to run should the 
 pressure brought to bear on him be too hard or unendur- 
 able. 
 
 Day after day his situation became more unfortunate. 
 When introductions were growing less, and the nine days 
 accorded gossip to ponder over the wonders of such an 
 arrival as his had given place to more sober reflection, Mrs. 
 Whirlston proposed, to the utter astonishment of Heron- 
 dine, that he conduct the services at the church Sunday in 
 the absence of the regular pastor, who had taken a vacation 
 for the benefit of his health. At first, Herondine expostu- 
 lated, begged, craved to be excused, but all to no purpose. 
 Then he pleaded incapacity, twisted in his seat, coughed, 
 fumed, stormed, stamped on the floor, in the vain endeavor 
 to escape from the trying ordeal. Mrs. Whirlston smiled, 
 then laughed outright at so good a joke. 
 
 "Brother Fishington, I have you in hand," she said. 
 "I'll make a man of you. We must not disappoint the 
 congregation, because I have already assured them you will 
 be there. A pastor never has any will of his own, remem- 
 ber, but is led by the brethren." 
 
 "Led by the nose," remarked Herondine, in despera- 
 tion. 
 
 Mrs. Whirlston's merry laughter at this sally rang out 
 like the clear sound of a bell. 
 
 "I'll make it easy for you," she said. 
 
 Fortunately for Herondine he had witnessed the method 
 of conducting services in church on former occasions; so 
 he finally consented to officiate as requested. Lest, perad- 
 venture, he should become too conspicuous, he prepared for 
 the occasion. He ruffled a portion of his hair, wore col-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 155 
 
 ored glasses, and marked his face in such a way that the 
 natural expression of it was completely changed, especially 
 when seen at some distance. Mrs. Whirlston was a little 
 shocked at the transformation, declaring it was mean of 
 him to hide his good looks, but was reconciled when in- 
 formed he did it out of pure modesty. 
 
 What seemed a climax during the services on the occa- 
 sion occurred when a Southern enthusiast stood up in the 
 congregation and asked Brother Fishington if he would 
 not say a prayer for the success of the new government, 
 the constitution of the Confederacy having been adopted in 
 convention at Montgomery, Alabama, a few days before. 
 Herondine, without hesitation, raising up his hands, said: 
 
 " O Lord, scatter the enemies of our government. May 
 they perish like grasshoppers in a Kansas storm. May the 
 withering blight of incompetency afflict their designs so as 
 to make them incapable of injury to us. Through conten- 
 tions and dissensions may they suffer defeat in battle, until 
 they are wholly subdued and become the sport of the civil- 
 ized world. Amen." 
 
 Herondine' s earnestness arose from the fact that the 
 prayer was said for his own government, whereas his 
 Southern hearers believed it had been dictated for theirs. 
 When the murmurs of applause which greeted this effort 
 had subsided, Mrs. Whirlston, with a kindling eye, re- 
 marked to a lady near her : 
 
 " I knew it was in him. I can tell every time." 
 
 To which the other answered : 
 
 "A small blame to you. Who wouldn't with such a 
 man?" 
 
 At the evening services there was a large assemblage, 
 after which it might be seen that Tuppins stood at the outer
 
 156 /A THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 gate waiting to accompany Miss Cynthia home and listen 
 entranced to the regular program beginning with "Carry 
 Me Over the River." This laudable design left Mrs. 
 Whirlston to be escorted by Herondine. 
 
 The night was dark. The feeble light of the gas lamps 
 extended little more than ten or twelve feet, leaving the 
 gloom to prevail in the intervals. The sounds of footsteps 
 were dying out. Occasionally a front door would be heard 
 to slam as the last straggler entered the house and hurried- 
 ly shut it as if a robber were at his heals. The deep silence 
 of temporary death was beginning to assert itself when they 
 heard a quick footstep, evidently of a man coming towards 
 them on the same sidewalk. It was yet some distance to 
 the place where they were walking. 
 
 "Seems to me I ought to know that step," said Mrs. 
 Whirlston. " I study the tread of people, do you know? " 
 she continued. 
 
 "For what purpose? " inquired Herondine. 
 
 "As an index of character," she answered. "As the 
 mind directs the footsteps, it is possible to determine its 
 character through closely contemplating their movements." 
 
 "That is an original idea," returned Herondine. " It 
 is mind-reading through a medium. No doubt something 
 might be gained by the process. What have you read from 
 the sound of my feet ? ' ' 
 
 " I have not heard them when off your guard," she an- 
 swered. " Some day I may; but the man approaching is 
 dangerous. I do not know how the information comes. 
 It is, no doubt, intuition. He is a stranger." 
 
 They had reached the outer edge of a circle of light sur- 
 rounding a lamp-post just as the man came through it 
 from the darkness on the other side. They saw him
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 157 
 
 clearly, and Herondine started so violently that Mrs. 
 Whirlston, who had hold of his arm at the time, felt the 
 shock. 
 
 "Brother Fishington," she said solemnly, "you know 
 that man." 
 
 "Yes no. I only thought it might be one that I had 
 seen before." 
 
 "Where have you seen him?" inquired Mrs. Whirlston 
 keenly. 
 
 "Where?" answered Herondine, seeking some way of 
 evading a direct reply. " In the cars at the wharf." 
 
 Mrs. Whirlston laughed at the absurdity of such an 
 answer ; but before the conversation was resumed they en- 
 tered the house, and Herondine went direct to his room 
 upstairs, through whose open door the strains of " Weigh 
 Your Anchor with the Tide " was pouring from the front 
 parlor below, where Tuppins sat dumfounded as usual. 
 
 Herondine, after adjusting the window blinds and light- 
 ing the gas, examined his face in the mirror. He was pale 
 and a trifle nervous. Even on the part of a brave man, 
 these signs were excusable, for the person who had emerged 
 from the darkness and whose footfalls had been interpreted 
 by Mrs. Whirlston, was his archenemy, Danderton Hitch ! 
 
 During the following few days Herondine kept indoors, 
 pleading indisposition, and Mrs. Whirlston began to sus- 
 pect that the appearance of the stranger on Sunday night 
 had something to do with it. However, she did not press 
 her inquiries further. On Thursday of the same week, 
 Furflew called and made his first report. It was decidedly 
 sensational. 
 
 He had wandered freely through the city practicing 
 ventriloquism as a starter, reserving his other accomplish-
 
 158 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 ments for future use, lest the civil authorities might take 
 exception to them and cause his arrest. It was gathered 
 from him that the feeling against the North was very bitter. 
 Indeed, he had heard some speeches whose virulence, 
 denunciation, and threatenings struck him dumb with 
 fear, for never before did he understand what force could 
 be infused into language. Traitors and spies were spe- 
 cially mentioned as obnoxious, and several times he was 
 questioned as to his political opinions and sympathies. 
 On this account he suggested the propriety of joining a 
 military organization, which would have the effect of 
 removing doubts of his character from the minds of South- 
 ern men, to which Herondine consented. 
 
 The special information he had to communicate was 
 most important. It was that preparations were being made 
 to bombard Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor, which 
 was held for the United States government by a mere 
 handful of troops. He had seen General Beauregard 
 actually superintending the construction of some of the 
 offensive works; and, from all he heard said about the 
 matter, the fatal day could not be far distant. 
 
 When Furflew left to return to his duties in the city, 
 Herondine sent a night dispatch in cipher to Washington 
 as follows: "Sumter is threatened. Beauregard pressing 
 matters to a crisis. Relief is needed at once." 
 
 Now that he had given sufficient reasons to be permitted 
 to enjoy seclusion during his preparatory course of studies, 
 he smiled to think he would not be disturbed in future ; 
 but alas ! he little knew how cleverness is frequently de- 
 feated by stratagem moving in the opposite direction. 
 While his original design had been concocted so as to 
 enable him to live in the enemy's country without being
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 159 
 
 seen except at rare intervals, Mrs. Whirlston's purpose 
 appeared to be to have him known, understood, and ad- 
 mired by every man, woman, and child in Charleston; 
 whether for the good of society, the church, or herself 
 could not be easily determined. On the present occasion, 
 when he returned to the house after sending his dispatch 
 to Washington, she had news of great import to communi- 
 cate to him. 
 
 " General Beauregard," she said, "will be given a public 
 entertainment tomorrow night, and you and I are going. 
 I bought a new hat for the occasion. See ! here it is. 
 Isn't it lovely? " 
 
 Being in the sitting room, Herondine staggered into a 
 seat like one intoxicated. This announcement struck him 
 like a cannon ball. Some one in the crowd would doubt- 
 less know him, even if Danderton were not there, and such 
 recognition might lead to serious consequences. The lady 
 continued : 
 
 " I have friends that are related to the General, and I 
 can introduce you to him. We must make you acquainted 
 with the principal men in town so as to be social and 
 agreeable." 
 
 Herondine could offer no objection, seeing how thor- 
 oughly he had been trapped in his own net; but he 
 thought of his wife in her loneliness and wondered if she 
 dreamed of the difficulties that now were beginning to 
 meet him, threatening exposure, capture, or, perhaps, 
 death. Yet his duty called for all these and more ; hence 
 he told his landlady he would be happy to accompany her 
 on the occasion named. 
 
 The reception given to General Beauregard by the 
 people of Charleston was handsome and enjoyable. On
 
 160 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 the brink of a precipice they were merry, which, perhaps, 
 is one of the great secrets of living well. The manhood, 
 the intelligence, and the fashion were there to greet the 
 soldier. Mrs. Whirlston, besides being on the arm of 
 Brother Fishington, had remarkable twinkling light in her 
 eyes, and laughed at the least display of wit. Her high 
 bosom on these occasions rose and fell like the tide reach- 
 ing to catch the maximum point of its course on the shore. 
 Cynthia accompanied Tuppins, but was not of her mother's 
 party. 
 
 The hero of the hour made a circuit of the hall accom- 
 panied by a few chosen friends. When in the neighbor- 
 hood of Mrs. Whirlston, one of her lady acquaintances met 
 the General and secured the desired introduction. When 
 Herondine was presented, Beauregard, remarking the sol- 
 dierly appearance of the man, said : 
 
 " Brother, I would have been well pleased if you had 
 selected the military instead of the religious profession. 
 Your shoulders seem better fitted for the field than the 
 pulpit." 
 
 To which Herondine replied : 
 
 "Thank you, General. Had I known you were to 
 command, I might have done so." 
 
 " It is not yet too late," said Beauregard seriously. " I 
 shall" 
 
 "Oh no, General," said Mrs. Whirlston, suddenly 
 coming to the front in a beseeching manner. " We must 
 have him." 
 
 The General smiled good-humoredly, and before moving 
 on said in so low a voice that none but the lady heard 
 him : 
 
 " Yes, madam, you must have him."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 161 
 
 "Ah! " ejaculated Mrs. Whirlston, turning to Brother 
 Fishington and clasping her hands with delight, "how 
 penetrating he is ! He actually can read one's thoughts; 
 but isn't he a love of a man ? " 
 
 "He is very affable," replied her companion, "which 
 is, perhaps, the most noticeable sign of a gentleman to be 
 met in public." 
 
 Herondine, scanning the features of the people eagerly, 
 saw no one but strangers. Danderton was not there. 
 From parties conversing with his landlady, he gathered 
 that Fort Sumter would be attacked without further delay, 
 as the preparations for its reduction were completed. 
 This news made him sad; seeing which, Mrs. Whirlston 
 entertained him with lively descriptions of many society 
 people in the hall until they returned home. 
 
 The rumors whispered from house to house regarding 
 the contemplated siege of Fort Sumter were true. Furflew 
 confirmed them in making his second report to Herondine, 
 soon after the night of the entertainment. Furflew had 
 enlisted in the Confederate service, the better to obtain 
 information, and was attached to a battery on James 
 Island. He intimated that there were two other places in 
 the harbor besides this where batteries had been placed 
 on Sullivan's Island and Morris Island, the former contain- 
 ing the historic Fort Moultrie, which mounted thirty guns. 
 There was also an ironclad floating battery, carrying four 
 guns of large size. All these would play on Sumter. The 
 Southern authorities hoped the officers and enlisted men 
 composing the garrison of the fort would join their cause 
 and thus prevent a battle, but they were disappointed. 
 
 Major Robert Anderson and his command, consisting of 
 two skeleton companies of the First United States Artillery,
 
 162 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 about sixty-five men, remained true to their duty and to 
 the United States. Anderson, although a Southern man 
 and a slave owner, was the first conspicuous example show- 
 ing the nice points of honor and genuine manhood under 
 the circumstances surrounding him, and the severest test to 
 which human life may be subject. His method of conduct- 
 ing the defense of his charge, his patriotic sentiments for 
 the government which had honored and promoted him, his 
 courage under fire, and the broad views of right and justice 
 which were his in the darkest hours of his great trial 
 proved beyond a doubt that he was then and would be for- 
 ever a noble man. His individualism disappeared for the 
 general good of the United States. 
 
 Furflew, before leaving the presence of Herondine, had 
 something special to propose. It was this : if he desired 
 to witness the bombardment, Furflew could give him the 
 exact time at or near the wharf. General Beauregard had 
 his headquarters in Charleston, from which place he dis- 
 patched messages to the detachments under his command. 
 Furflew had gained the confidence of the officer empowered 
 to make details, and requested to be one of the men sent 
 to the city on special duty ; hence he would meet Heron- 
 dine at an intermediate place. As Beauregard's officers 
 had already begun to demand the surrender of Sumter, it 
 was probable that action would commence next morning at 
 daybreak, in case of refusal. Then the men separated. 
 
 Herondine in the intermediate time discoursed with 
 Mrs. Whirlston on the dreadful nature of war, and added 
 he wished to see for himself the opening of the campaign, 
 so as to moralize on it for the benefit of religion. With 
 her knowledge, therefore, he left the house after dark, and, 
 promising to return soon, proceeded to the wharf for the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 163 
 
 desired information. It was near midnight before Furflew 
 put in an appearance, but when he did he merely pushed a 
 piece of paper into Herondine's hand and passed on with- 
 out speaking. The paper when unfolded contained these 
 words : " At daybreak." 
 
 Satisfied with the result of his watchfulness, Herondine 
 returned to his lodgings not to sleep, however, but to 
 a\vait the coming of the greatest event ever witnessed in 
 the course of his life, one that was to awake the people of 
 two sections of a rich and powerful nation to a conscious- 
 ness that the fratricidal strife had begun which would des- 
 olate many a fertile plain and bring to premature graves 
 the bravest and the dearest of the manhood of their 
 families. 
 
 It was April. The genial spring had descended from 
 heaven, bringing with it verdure, blossoms, perfume, and 
 balmy air to mankind, irrespective of condition or party. 
 Notwithstanding the fascination of its presence, the hearts 
 of men were filled with malice and the bitterness which 
 produces murderous strife. Herondine, at the open win- 
 dow, towards the dawn of the fatal day, looked into the 
 darkness and contemplated the two powers here at work 
 the hand of God with its incomparable gifts, and man 
 with the sword ready to slay his brother. Surely this 
 irreverent exhibition, so palpable even to an unphilosophic 
 mind, must end in terror, ruin, and destruction. Above 
 there was glory in the atmosphere, as if the souls of man- 
 kind were invited to enjoy a felicitous state without tasting 
 death ; while below, in the midst of beauty and compe- 
 tence, there stalked premeditated carnage, hatred, and all 
 the worst passions that brutalize the nature of the human 
 kind.
 
 164 AV THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 A light mist arose from the waters of the harbor before 
 morning, as if it were the last attempt of the Infinite to 
 prevent a conflict : but it was not sufficient to totally ob- 
 scure objects ; it only chilled the air and made the actors 
 uncomfortable. 
 
 Herondine occupied an elevated position. As he stood 
 watching the obscurity changing its character by the admix- 
 ture of gray, and marveled on the great silence pervading 
 the city, he saw a red light like a rocket rise suddenly out 
 of the darkness at one point, describe an arc of a circle in 
 the air, and descend again to the earth, bursting at the 
 point of contact. Then a deep, loud report followed, 
 resembling a thunderclap, which rattled the glass in the 
 windows, shook the buildings in Charleston, and awoke the 
 inhabitants. It was the first shot of the war; and Heron- 
 dine, understanding its significance, trembled. In a little 
 time another report was heard, and then several at the 
 same instant, indicating that additional batteries had joined 
 in the action. The scene was one to inspire terror, know- 
 ing that the destruction of human life was the principal 
 object. 
 
 The people dressed hastily and crowded into the streets 
 intent on seeing all that could be seen or to inquire into 
 the particulars of the bombardment. Many sought elevated 
 places, to gain a view of the display the flashing of the 
 guns, and the clouds of thick smoke which rolled over the 
 surface of the earth and were then carried off by the wind. 
 
 Notwithstanding their sympathies in favor of their own 
 cause, the faces of the people were blanched by the reflec- 
 tion of some indescribable horror. The void roused by the 
 presumption of man struck back by a method that even the 
 bravest felt to be fearful. The uproar in the heavens re-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 165 
 
 sembled a great storm supplemented by a conflagration 
 involving both earth and sky. When daylight appeared, 
 the batteries of Fort Sumter returned the fire and added 
 to the general confusion. The echoes of the volleys 
 increased the sounds fourfold. Many sensitive people felt 
 sick, and others occasionally thought of the brave band of 
 men within the fort fighting for honor and nationality 
 against fearful odds. 
 
 Mrs. Whirlston dressed hastily, and joined Herondine 
 at the window soon after the firing began. She was so 
 much alarmed that speech forsook her for the time being. 
 In deference to her good heart, it may also be said she 
 wept silently over the misfortune of the war and the inequal- 
 ity of the contest going on in the harbor. This inequality 
 seemed to imply guilt to the larger party, which even the 
 usages or privileges of warfare could not palliate. 
 
 Next day the Federals surrendered and the South scored 
 the first victory. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 AN OLD CRAFT SIGHTED. 
 
 TAKING advantage of the general good feeling among 
 the officers of Beauregard's army on the fall of 
 Sumter, Furflew obtained three days' leave of absence from 
 his battery. The news he brought Herondine read like a 
 novel, it was so interesting. 
 
 Furflew was present at the firing of the first shot. It 
 was a shell discharged from a ten-inch mortar belonging to 
 one of the batteries on James Island, which is washed by 
 the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper rivers, these
 
 166 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 streams bounding Charleston farther to the northeast. The 
 order to fire came in about four o'clock in the morning. 
 The men of the battery, excepting a small guard, were 
 asleep, but were aroused immediately by some of the non- 
 commissioned ofBcers going among them and pulling them 
 out of their bunks. When everything was ready for ac- 
 tion, the privilege of firing the first gun of the war was 
 offered a gentleman present, who refused on conscientious 
 grounds ; but immediately thereafter some one, a civilian, 
 stepped forward, and, saluting the officer in charge, said : 
 
 " Captain, I shall be pleased to fire the first shot." 
 
 "We have men enough in the battery to perform that 
 service," was the reply ; " but who are you ? " 
 
 Furflew could not hear what the stranger said, and then 
 another individual coming up made an explanation. This 
 seemed satisfactory, as the captain asked no further ques- 
 tions, but at half past four fired the mortar himself. 
 
 The first man, who, in the manner above described, be- 
 came conspicuous by making the request, was tall, dark- 
 complexioned, with a high shoulder, and eyes that trem- 
 bled in their sockets. He seemed to be well known to the 
 men in power a circumstance that induced Furflew to 
 learn the particulars of his history. It appeared the man 
 in question came into the state with his father last winter. 
 They were Westerners, and possessed ample means, for 
 they engaged rooms at a family hotel of good reputation 
 and moved among the men who proposed to govern the 
 South. The father, in order to secure confidence and 
 some social standing, made arrangements for the purchase 
 of Confederate bonds, investing his entire fortune in them, 
 thus becoming, to all intents and purposes, an active mem- 
 ber of the Confederacy. For this act, and also on account
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 167 
 
 of the eagerness with which he espoused the hostile feeling 
 against the Federal government, he and his son were given 
 important positions. They were kept in close relationship 
 with the authorities in Charleston, being attached to a 
 detective agency similar to the one at Washington in the 
 interests of the North, and were rising rapidly in the pro- 
 fession on account of their knowledge of Northern men 
 whom they were instructed to shadow. 
 
 Herondine was astounded at this news. While he was 
 aware that Danderton Hitch was in Charleston (for the per- 
 son described by Furflew was no other than he), it seemed 
 incredible he should have gained such favor in the South 
 and appear so soon in direct opposition to the business at 
 which Herondine was engaged. It -looked as if it were the 
 old trick of Greek against Greek or a fatality. There could 
 be no doubt now of the danger encompassing him, for, if 
 once recognized by either Danderton or his father, he was 
 sure of being arrested and tried for his life. 
 
 After instructing Furflew as to how he should act in case 
 of an emergency when ordered to retreat, Herondine 
 turned attention to his own case. He determined in future 
 to remain in the house except at night, and then, when 
 abroad, to keep out of public thoroughfares and social 
 gatherings. 
 
 When bringing the subject to the notice of Mrs. Whirl- 
 ston next day, he insinuated the probability of the author- 
 ities claiming him for military service if seen much in 
 public, which had the desired effect of making that lady as 
 anxious to conceal his identity as he was himself; although 
 this did not prove she was not patriotic, but only that she 
 loved the interests of the church better than those of the 
 state.
 
 168 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 This master stroke of ingenious stratagem did not come 
 a minute too soon. While the two friends were yet delib- 
 erating on the feasibility of hiding Brother Fishington if 
 absolutely necessary in one of the clothes closets or under 
 the bed upstairs, an ominous ring was heard at the front 
 door. Mrs. Whirlston knew it to be of this character 
 because none of her acquaintances ever rang in that way, 
 and, besides, it was not the time for callers, neither could 
 it be considered the ring of a peddler. 
 
 The feeling of Mrs. Whirlston in moving quickly to 
 answer the call assumed that .the person on the outside was. 
 in authority and had come to make some demand. On 
 opening the door, she was not wholly disappointed. An 
 elderly man, slightly bent, with white hair, thick features, 
 round head, and a scowl by no means prepossessing, stood 
 there. He did not smile when encountering the inquiring 
 look of the lady, but in a frigid way asked : 
 
 "Have you a roomer called Brother Fishington, 
 madam ? ' ' 
 
 "I do not know you, sir," Mrs. Whirlston replied, 
 " and I am not in the habit, anyway, of telling my business 
 to others, especially to those who come to my house 
 uninvited." 
 
 The lady paused, but her face exhibited an expression 
 indicating she had given the newcomer a thrust that would 
 require some ingenuity to parry. 
 
 Herondine arose on hearing his name mentioned, and, 
 peering through the interstice of the door, saw the man but 
 could not recognize him, as his face was then turned to 
 one side. The position of Mrs. Whirlston's sitting room, 
 where Herondine was standing, was favorable for the 
 purpose. The view crossed the dining room, entered the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 169 
 
 doors of the front parlor transversely, and passed through 
 the open front entrance. Herondine could see and not be 
 seen. The man, nothing daunted, continued : 
 
 " I understand Brother Fishington is preparing for the 
 ministry; at least, it is so said." 
 
 " And who doubts it ? Do you? " 
 
 "I have not come here with any doubts. From the 
 description given of him, I infer he is an acquaintance of 
 mine." 
 
 "I would not imagine that fact could benefit him 
 much," said Mrs. Whirlston, with a forced laugh. "If 
 you are a friend, leave your card and he will be ready to 
 meet you if he thinks it's good for him." 
 
 " If he should consider otherwise, what then ? " inquired 
 the man. 
 
 " I suppose in that case he need not meet you." 
 
 " Is it true that this Brother Fishington is a stranger? " 
 
 " If there is anything in that, you have the advantage. 
 I know him, but I never saw you before." 
 
 "Madam, you would not wilfully harbor an enemy of 
 the Confederacy?" 
 
 This was a phase of the subject Mrs. Whirlston had not 
 considered. While she understood her duty to the civil 
 power, the church absorbed her liveliest interests. So 
 pronounced, or steadfast, was she in her opinions of 
 Herondine, that even this assertion had no effect in awak- 
 ing any doubts in her mind concerning him. She an- 
 swered promptly : 
 
 " Those who have resided in my house have been hon- 
 orable and true, and I have no reason to fear for them. ' ' 
 
 "We are not certain about your guest. There is only 
 a suspicion. The power controlling the forces now getting
 
 170 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 ready to demand and hold the independence of this state 
 should know how every individual here stands in relation 
 to it ; therefore I shall insist on examining your premises." 
 
 In this instant the stranger faced the doorway, revealing 
 to Herondine the obnoxious physiognomy of Hamilton 
 Hitch, an account of whose political tendencies and ques- 
 tionable character had been given to him in Omaha, as 
 well as the knowledge imparted by Furflew that he was 
 now a spy in the South. Mrs. Whirlston remained firmly 
 intrenched in the passage, however, as if to dispute it to 
 the last. 
 
 "Who are you?" she asked, "and by what right have 
 you come here to force an entrance into my house ? " 
 
 "I am a detective, madam, and this is my right," 
 the man answered, producing a paper with the seal of a 
 court and the signature of a judge authorizing the bearer 
 to examine premises where suspicion existed that they 
 contained a person or persons inimical to the new govern- 
 ment. 
 
 " Well," said the lady, while her face grew exceedingly 
 pale and her limbs began to tremble, "this is very strange, 
 and I do not know how to account for it; but, as the 
 scripture says, 'An enemy hath done this,' a secret emissary 
 of evil, who, doubtless, is no churchgoer." 
 
 She held the door open, invited the detective to accom- 
 pany her, and continued : 
 
 "Let us go to Brother Fishington's room upstairs, and 
 you can examine it. I do not know exactly where he is at 
 present." 
 
 Mrs. Whirlston said these words in a loud voice, hoping 
 to be heard by Herondine, so that he might take warning 
 and escape, for she really believed the present investigation
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 171 
 
 had been instituted for the purpose of forcing him into the 
 military service, the idea being strengthened as she recalled 
 the remarks made by General Beauregard at the entertain- 
 ment already noticed. 
 
 Herondine's room was commodious and neatly furnished. 
 It was clean and had an odor of fresh flowers, blossoms 
 gathered by Mrs. Whirlston's own hands for the handsome 
 vase on the mantelpiece. There was no baggage, Heron- 
 dine having brought with him only a satchel containing 
 one change. This receptacle was there, open. There 
 were a few gloves, collars, handkerchiefs, socks, but no 
 papers or pictures. 
 
 "Brother Fishington is clever," said Hamilton Hitch, 
 seeing his examination resulted in disappointment. 
 
 "We need clever men nowadays," returned Mrs. Whirl - 
 ston, with some sarcasm, intending, no doubt, to reflect 
 on the detective's methods. 
 
 "Now, madam, do you really think him handsome?" 
 he inquired, with a show of intimacy quite tantalizing. 
 
 " My individual opinion is my own. It would not agree 
 with yours in anything," she said. 
 
 " The remark was made also that the brother was tall; 
 could you not give his height?" 
 
 "I never measured him," evasively answered the lady. 
 "If he has been an acquaintance of yours, further informa- 
 tion on the subject would be superfluous." 
 
 The man laughed in a derisive manner. Still, he pro- 
 ceeded downstairs, looking wistfully at the apartments as he 
 went along. When they entered Mrs. Whirlston's back 
 sitting room, it was empty, very much to the relief of the 
 lady. Then the detective prepared to depart. When at 
 the front door he stood an instant irresolute, as if about to
 
 172 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 speak, but impolitely turned away without word or motion 
 and soon disappeared down the street. 
 
 Then Mrs. Whirlston went through the house flying, on 
 the supposition that her good Brother Fishington would 
 turn up or turn out ot his hiding place at every moment. 
 Alas ! nothing but deep silence met her earnestness She 
 went from room to room, looked into the closets aye, 
 under the beds, sometimes calling "Brother," but Her- 
 ondine did not respond. 
 
 From the sitting room where she last saw him there was 
 a door leading backwards into the kitchen, another from the 
 kitchen into the yard ; from this space one might proceed in- 
 to an alley, and thence into a street. Following this course, 
 she found his footprints in the dust of the alley. He had evi- 
 dently taken that way while she was conversing with the 
 detective at the front door. This was substantially true. 
 
 With the discovery that Hamilton Hitch was on his 
 track, Herondine knew his time in Charleston must come 
 to an abrupt termination. One moment's delay, one mis- 
 calculation, one false step might deliver him into the hands 
 of the unscrupulous detective, from whom no mercy would 
 be expected ; therefore, when he saw his face at the door, 
 he decided at once to escape while there was yet hope 
 that he himself was only known by hearsay. 
 
 Herondine's plans had been well arranged. He did not 
 travel by the regular routes. From north to south there 
 had been a line established along which agents of the 
 secret service were to move and on which they would re- 
 ceive aid, including shelter, food, and conveyance from 
 station to station. There were signs and passwords and 
 other paraphernalia, necessary adjuncts of the system ; but 
 the men connected with it were unknown to each other
 
 THE FIRS T DE GRE E. 173 
 
 except on occasions when it could not be avoided, and then 
 there were no questions asked or information given, as this 
 was reserved for the chief in Washington. 
 
 Before leaving Charleston, Herondine, seeing a news- 
 boy, desired to send a message to Furflew, who, as may be 
 remembered, had been given a furlough, but was now room- 
 ing at an uptown boarding house. Taking a paper, he 
 marked on the margin of it the letters " T. I. G." Then 
 he folded it carefully and wrote thereon, " Private Curler, 
 Bummer's House, Charleston," asking the boy when he 
 went that way to deliver it as addressed, also to state in 
 explanation that it came from the Brother. Then Heron- 
 dine paid the boy, who volunteered to deliver the message 
 at once and did so. 
 
 Furflew, on learning that the paper came from Brother 
 Fishington, knew that it must be a document above the 
 average. Lighting a cigar and taking a seat near the 
 clerk's desk in the office, with one leg over the other, he 
 opened the paper and began to scan the news. Nothing 
 appeared therein that he could see connecting either him 
 or Herondine with the incidents related. Finally he came 
 to discern the letters on the margin. 
 
 "Hem!" said he to himself. "What's this? What's 
 those 'T. I. G.'?" 
 
 He reflected some time, puffing, however, the smoke of 
 his cigar with unusual energy, as if the action might not 
 induce a solution of the difficulty. Then he returned to 
 the question and proposed an answer. 
 
 "'T' stands for tea, !' is I, and 'G' stands for jug, 
 tea I jug tea in a jug. Well, if that ain't odd, I'll be 
 durned. He got tea in a jug somewhere and wants me to 
 know it. Bully for you."
 
 174 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 With this conclusion, however, Furflew did not grow satis- 
 fied, for, reason on it as he would, nothing reached his intel- 
 ligence that looked one way or another like a probable mes- 
 sage or a fact worthy of note. He replaced the paper in his 
 pocket and walked into the street. This was the first message 
 sent him by Herondine, and must therefore be of unusual 
 importance. What could it mean? They had not agreed 
 on signals or cipher communications, and this one was with- 
 out doubt written on the spur of the moment. Hence he, 
 Furflew, must wait in order to deliberate on all sides of the 
 question. After an hour's tussle with the unknown, a spark 
 flew out of the void that illuminated his mental perception. 
 
 "Ah!" said he, suddenly catching at a thought and 
 dragging the paper from his pocket. " Durn the luck ! if 
 it don't read backwards ' G-i-f ! Now, we know what 
 that is, anyway. Git; clear out; skedaddle; make tracks. 
 Holy frost ! there's something up ! I should smile ! It's 
 too hot here, for sure ; but look at me, will you ? When 
 I ' git ' this time, I'll be a deserter. I reckon the life that's 
 left in me won't be worth suds. I guess I couldn't get 
 insured, nohow. Shot on sight for being a spy! I'll be 
 shot then and there before I'm seen at all." 
 
 That night Furflew called at Mrs. Whirlston's. He went 
 through the alley to reach the back door in order to avoid 
 detectives who might possibly be watching the front. He 
 found the lady in a high state of excitement, owing to the 
 disappearance of Brother Fishington. She related the in- 
 cidents of the morning and expressed a belief that her guest 
 must have been induced, one way or another, to join in the 
 war, as he did not return. 
 
 "I was kind of anxious to see him," said Furflew, " be- 
 cause he was a durned good fellow when we met in Louisiana. ' '
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 175 
 
 "Yes," answered Mrs. Whirlston, "I noticed you were 
 friendly." 
 
 " I always said to myself, of course," resumed the man, 
 " for I had no one else to say it to he'd turn the hearts of 
 the women towards him if he ever got a pulpit ; he had the 
 knack of it." 
 
 "Oh, his ability was very marked," rejoined the lady, 
 "more, perhaps, in directing devotional exercises to God 
 than seeking praise for himself." 
 
 " I wouldn't give shucks for the woman that didn't dote 
 on the ground under his feet. It was plain to be seen he 
 was as handsome as plum duff on a Christmas table," said 
 Furflew, endeavoring to keep the conversation from taking 
 too much of a religious turn. 
 
 Mrs. Whirlston made no reply to this comment. Her 
 ideas of Brother Fishington were too refined to be jostled 
 about with those of other people, even his own acquaint- 
 ances. If she knew the Brother was handsome, she would 
 recognize it as a secret too good to give out or let out. 
 Hence she asked Furflew somewhat suddenly : 
 
 "What will you do?" 
 
 " Do? " inquired the man. 
 
 "To find him," she answered. " Will you not go here, 
 there, and everywhere, look into barracks, see the men on 
 parade, examine the depots, and scour the streets? " 
 
 Furflew seemed confounded by her earnestness, but did 
 not answer. 
 
 " And when you find him," continued Mrs. Whirlston, 
 "send him back here. " 
 
 "I'll say," resumed Furflew, "that there woman in 
 Charleston is sweet on you " 
 
 " We want him to be pastor.''
 
 176 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " She has a thing in her eye that won't fall out nohow " 
 
 "The congregation admires righteous behavior and 
 piety." 
 
 " She's worried to death on your account." 
 
 "We miss him." 
 
 " Say," continued the man, becoming more confidential, 
 " when the war is over, I'll try my best to run in with him 
 on the first cheap excursion train and plank him right 
 down before you without charge, and no questions asked. 
 Mind your prayers while we are away. There is danger 
 around. Keep your weather eye open, for in the mean- 
 time that same detective what was here might take it into 
 his head to brew trouble for you without malt, and no mis- 
 take. So long." 
 
 Before Mrs. Whirlston could make further remarks, Fur 
 flew had departed. He was convinced that his chief was 
 on his return journey to Washington, and that the mes- 
 sage he himself had received required a similar movement. 
 As in Herondine's case, Furflew knew the secret route 
 and pursued it, although his pass would have entitled him 
 to safe conduct in any case for the ensuing twenty -four 
 hours. 
 
 Among Mrs. Whirlston's friends, the disappearance of 
 Brother Fishington was considered a mere item related to 
 the all-absorbing subject of the war. Examples of this 
 kind were numerous, and some a great deal more distress- 
 ing, for men quit their homes who were the sole support of 
 large families, thus leaving them to struggle with difficulties 
 and absolute want. The people who crowded into the front 
 parlor where Tuppins had seen and heard so much that was 
 felicitous, offered their condolence regularly, more on ac- 
 count of the loss sustained by the church than anything
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 177 
 
 ascribed to the feelings of the lady; but when, in a few 
 days, it became known that detective Hamilton Hitch had 
 revisited the house and charged Mrs.Whirlston with treason 
 to the state in that she had sheltered and made much of a 
 man in the secret service of the North, their puerile sym- 
 pathy was changed into consternation. Then it was that 
 she drew company in earnest. People came by the score, 
 and filled every room in the house downstairs at a sitting. 
 It is wonderful how the full measure of earthly joy to many 
 is invariably tinctured by sorrow. 
 
 Mrs. Whirlston was the wonder of the hour ; and as her 
 individual rectitude was not questioned, all members of the 
 congregation, as well as hundreds of others, were wild to 
 meet her and hear from her own lips the strange story then 
 circulating. 
 
 Oh ! how she loved the multitude ! But ah ! at what a 
 fearful cost was her ruling passion gratified ! With the re- 
 pletion of her desire came notoriety, and the pleasures of 
 the one seemed overwhelmed by the other. Besides, she 
 must appear in a public court and give satisfactory evidence 
 that she was not the miscreant represented by detective 
 Hamilton Hitch. Add to this, for the whole truth must 
 be told, every ounce of tea, every caddy of sugar, every 
 bottle of wine, and all her preserved fruit were swept away 
 as if a hurricane had stricken the pantry and scooped them 
 out to satiate the appreciative palates of her general visitors. 
 They were gone, but she was satisfied. Then she relapsed 
 into a meditative mood, and, as the people said, "was 
 better to be alone with her sorrow ' ' and the empty pantry. 
 
 In this connection it must be said, in vindication of the 
 chivalry of the male sex, that Tuppins made a remarkable 
 effort in the search for Brother Fishington. His plan was
 
 178 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 to post notices on dead walls and country fences, as they 
 do in the case of lost sheep, so that people seeing them 
 would desert their legitimate occupation and run him down 
 or fish him up, as the case might be. Full of this idea, 
 Tuppins began the writing of the notice with Mrs. Whirl- 
 ston's consent, for she said, " No one knows what might 
 come out of it "; but alas ! the document never went forth. 
 It was incomplete, dying a premature death. 
 
 "Lost or strayed away," wrote Tuppins, "a man not 
 blind, not lame " 
 
 Then he stopped, unable to proceed further. 
 
 " Put in," said Cynthia, " no fool." 
 
 This phrase being added, Tuppins read and reread the 
 notice until his brain began to ache, when he abandoned 
 the effort altogether, and, as he expressed it, " let things 
 look out for themselves." 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 "THE POOR MAN OF CHRISTENDOM." 
 
 HERONDINE'S headlong retreat from the South 
 induced him to reflect and determine that the 
 power at his command in his present profession was not 
 absolute. Evidently his first patriotic effort in his coun- 
 try's behalf had been given a serious repulse by one whom 
 he regarded as a nonentity, but whose action, in the vary- 
 ing chances of war, had become like a tornado, forcing 
 the enemy to flee to his home for refuge as if the operator 
 were the superior instead of the inferior man. 
 
 Herondine could easily perceive that the original cause 
 of quarrel between North and South was expanding to
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 179 
 
 immense proportions, involving not only legitimate war 
 but also feelings of bitter hatred among the individuals of 
 both sections. The scenes presented to his view as he 
 journeyed northward were animated by military move- 
 ments in anticipation of active service in the field. The 
 cry " To arms ! " might be heard on all sides in the streets 
 of cities, on the public highways, among the pleasure- 
 seekers of popular resorts, in the cars, on the steamboats, 
 in the farmhouses, on the common of the quiet hamlet, and 
 at the doorsteps of the family residence, as if the echoing 
 guns bombarding Sumter had awakened also the retributive 
 spirit of the North so as to retrieve its sullied honor and 
 wreak a deadly retribution on its enemies. 
 
 On account of the vast amount of business accumulating 
 in the bureau at Washington and the necessity existing for 
 every man to be at his post, Heron dine had barely time to 
 visit his family in New York before launching into a new 
 expedition. This was none other than to ascertain, if 
 possible, from members of the Confederate government or 
 their friends, the strategic movements contemplated for 
 the government of the Southern army within the next few 
 months. The principal places of operation in this con- 
 nection would be Richmond, Virginia, and Montgomery, 
 Alabama, which at that time was the capital of the South 
 and possessed many advantageous conditions in its favor. 
 As a matter of course, Furflew would actually bear the chief 
 part in the undertaking and from the skill displayed by 
 him recently in Charleston it was believed much valuable 
 information would be derived through his assistance. It 
 was a hazardous duty in any circumstances, but especially 
 so at that time, when those who played with war after such 
 a fashion lived incessantly in the shadow of the gallows.
 
 180 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Before leaving the national capital Furflew had executed 
 an improvement in his person very much desired as tending 
 to disguise his identity in the new field of enterprise to 
 which he was assigned ; namely, an artificial bridge on his 
 nose so as to straighten out that organ and enable him to 
 assume foppish airs such as might possibly turn the heads 
 of the ladies in Montgomery, seeing that the Grecian 
 bend was then in full vogue among them. The artistic 
 workman who devised the appendage above mentioned had 
 been seeking opportunities for the display of genius through 
 the instrumentality of invention, and, hearing from Fur- 
 flew the nature of the article required, literally flung him- 
 self into the project, regardless of time or expense. 
 Hence, in an uncommonly short period there was pro- 
 duced something that is rarely, if ever, seen in an ordinary 
 show window, or, indeed, for the matter of that, on a 
 man's face an artificial nose, of fine imitative color and 
 consistence, apparently sensitive, like other organs of the 
 same class, to the praises or censures or odors of the world. 
 
 Carefully examined, it was seen to be an external case 
 composed of gelatine having a pair of spring spectacles 
 surmounting the middle part or astride of the bridge so as 
 to grasp the facial organ or such portions of it as were 
 available. The edges coming in contact with the face 
 were concealed by narrow strips of steel which appeared to 
 be necessary adjuncts of the spectacles, and the point of 
 contact above, under the forehead, was covered adroitly 
 with a piece of plaster, to give the impression to the ob- 
 server that there was a slight wound there and to divert 
 scrutiny away from the nose itself. Each orifice at the 
 lower end was so arranged as to be carried into those of 
 the wearer, and the line beneath was covered by a thick
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 181 
 
 mustache which clothed the entire upper lip and com- 
 pleted the design. 
 
 Under this new piece of face gear Furflew reveled in 
 beauty and self-importance. The harmony of proportion- 
 ate lines had been established on his exterior front. The 
 pride of vanity kindled in his eyes, and he assumed a wag- 
 gish gait like men who feel physical power developed in 
 their shoulders impelling them to strike forward. Know- 
 ing that Herondine would follow him as a supporter in a 
 few days he departed for Alabama in good spirits, believ- 
 ing his arts would fully sustain his character if everything 
 else failed. 
 
 As for Herondine, the part he was to play on this trip 
 had been carefully selected, as danger to men of his class 
 was increasing daily and the most trifling incident or 
 omission connected with his arrangements might betray 
 him into the hands of his enemies. He personated a com- 
 mercial traveler soliciting for orders for the English firm of 
 Blister Winkle & Company, successors to Periwinkle, of 
 Birkenhead and Liverpool, founders, manufacturers, and 
 ironmongers the special branch, or department, in which 
 he was concerned being wrought and cut nails, galvanized 
 sprigs, tacks, and spikes. He carried samples of these 
 articles with him ; and as English goods were then popular 
 in the South, there would be no difficulty attached to his 
 representations for the period required. 
 
 A few days after his arrival in Montgomery, Furflew ap- 
 peared on the streets of that city in all the glory of an 
 itinerant fakir giving exhibitions of his skill in ventrilo- 
 quism, supplemented by feats of jugglery ; and when the 
 scenes thus presented came to a close, he collected from 
 the audience, by the old-fashioned method of sending
 
 182 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 round the hat, what each individual was pleased to bestow 
 in recognition of his ability or worth. 
 
 At stated periods he reported to Herondine all the in- 
 formation he had gathered among the citizens relating to 
 the war. The confidence of the fellow seemed the most 
 wonderful part of his performance. His smiles were gen- 
 uine. He looked the people square in the face and straight 
 in the eye, in contradistinction to the theory that one in 
 opposition to the constituted powers could not do so with- 
 out betraying symptoms of fear. He laughed ; and those 
 who heard him said among themselves, " This is an honest 
 clown any way you take him." 
 
 Standing on a chair, with his back against a wall, his 
 hat tilted on the side of his head, and his face decorated 
 with the artificial bridge and attachments heretofore men- 
 tioned, the rest of his body being encased in respectable 
 clothing, he went through each one-hour performance with 
 the utmost spirit, and satisfaction to himself and his audi- 
 tors. Sometimes he rose to greatness, when he produced 
 the humming of the honeybee both during its freedom 
 and captivity, the siss of the beefsteak on a hot frying pan, 
 and the changes the sounds undergo when the steak is 
 being turned, and finally the snap which terminates the 
 process when the gravy is turned out from the pan to the 
 dish. 
 
 It soon became evident to Furflew that his favorite pro- 
 fession would prove remunerative as well as provide him 
 personal security, for, on counting his collections for an 
 average day, the good round sum of fifteen dollars was 
 reached, thus giving more proof of the soundness of his 
 own opinions and the errors into which the world had 
 fallen in regard to the pushing of a fancy trade. Nor was
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 183 
 
 this all : when luck takes a favorable turn it becomes mu- 
 nificent. It was so in this case, as may be seen presently. 
 
 During one of Furflew's performances there stood on 
 the outer edge of the crowd in front of him two men 
 whose facial contortions, induced by laughter, proved 
 beyond a doubt that they were heartily amused. The 
 physical signs associated with these jolly fellows portrayed 
 a condition of easy circumstances. Without being osten- 
 tatious or showy in dress, they were comfortably clad. 
 They wore neat-fitting boots, clothes, and hats, and carried 
 themselves so decidedly within the lines of prudential 
 decorum as not to be mistaken for members of the swell 
 mob whose fraternity is supposed to have as many claims 
 on society as the phylloxera or the army worm on the 
 vegetable kingdom. Notwithstanding the similarity of 
 their dresses, consisting of business suits of the same 
 material, the difference between the two men was very 
 marked not that either appeared crafty with the other 
 simple, but that one seemed a greater fool than his com- 
 panion. 
 
 The elder, the more conspicuous man, must have been 
 at that time over fifty years, of medium height and build, 
 mild in aspect, but ready to be shaken by mirth at any 
 moment. He wore bushy whiskers shaped after the man- 
 ner of Englishmen ; had a pert, upturned face, florid com- 
 plexion, and a disposition to wink his left eye occasionally 
 in order to incite others to laughter. This individual was 
 none other than Saracen Gay, called also "the poor man 
 of Christendom," a character well known in the South for 
 his philanthropy or eccentricity, and accorded all the 
 privileges of the best society on account of his social 
 standing. He was a millionaire, but, owing to mental
 
 184 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 weakness, had been placed under the directorship of 
 friends, so as not to be imposed upon by sharps or other 
 evil-disposed persons. He feared to be accounted rich, 
 having some hallucination that he would be murdered for 
 his money; and hence his immediate companion, pander- 
 ing to his delusion, called him at first the poorest man in 
 Christendom, which the public made special by the title, 
 " the poor man of Christendom." 
 
 The man who accompanied Saracen Gay on the occasion 
 here mentioned was his valet, Risbon Flappins. Much 
 care had been bestowed on his selection, and due regard 
 paid to the peculiarities of the gentleman he would attend 
 in future. "Ris," as he was often called, seemed to 
 possess all the qualifications necessary for the position, or 
 any other, for the matter of that. He was strong and 
 fearless, yet gentle as a woman, sober, industrious in the 
 affairs of his employer, and fully alive to the obligation of 
 humoring his opinions and fancies. Flappins proved an 
 excellent attendant ; he encouraged his master to travel to 
 the great cities and points of interest in the United States, 
 kept him safe and comfortable throughout each ordeal, 
 and had a jolly good time from year in to year out. 
 
 Saracen Gay rented a villa in the suburbs of Montgom- 
 ery, but owned several in other places, so that, as a rule, 
 he was constantly moving. This arrangement diverted 
 his mind and made life endurable. At the time of his 
 appearance before Furflew in the streets of Montgomery, 
 he was expecting the arrival of a carriage which he had 
 ordered at some other point. His opinions about its 
 transportation will show a phase of his oddity. 
 
 "O Flappins," he said, " don't you think the carriage 
 could be drawn behind the train ? "
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 185 
 
 " Of course it could," answered the man. 
 
 ' ' The wheels are strong. ' ' 
 
 " Quite right ; the wheels are strong." 
 
 "If the road be level, the carriage will make as good 
 headway as the train itself." 
 
 "Certainly; besides, Saracen, there ain't no hills on a 
 railroad." 
 
 " But in case of trestles, don't you see what would occur ? ' ' 
 
 " The carriage would bob up and down, that's all." 
 
 Saracen Gay laughed. 
 
 "It would be funny to see it," he remarked, "but, 
 Flappins, do you think it strong enough to endure such 
 usage ? ' ' 
 
 "Of course it is." 
 
 "Well, what did you do? Did you tell the railroad 
 people?" 
 
 "I knew exactly what you wished done with it," re- 
 plied Flappins, assuming a serious air; "I told them to 
 hitch the carriage on to the hind part of the train and let 
 her come up that way." 
 
 "Ah! Flappins, you are very wise. You always know 
 just what is best to be done. I tell you a good thing, 
 though : when that carriage arrives, we might get this 
 clever fellow into it" alluding to Furflew. " He could 
 practice his art for a while and pass as a millionaire, but in 
 the meantime I could come up on the street as a poor man 
 and apply for a ride, when you could take me in. Do 
 you catch on ? " 
 
 "Do I? I should say so. It's just the thing. In all 
 my experience I never heard any proposal half so good. 
 Besides, Saracen, if a shot is fired at the carriage, he'll be 
 hit, sure."
 
 180 AV THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Although not wanting in sympathy for his fellow-man, 
 Saracen Gay laughed at this prediction until tears came 
 into his eyes, because it favored his own plan and pre- 
 sented a ludicrous situation to the mind. 
 
 "You're wonderful," he resumed, addressing Flappins, 
 * l to point out the danger before it happened." 
 
 " I tell you what I could do, though," replied the man, 
 "boastfully. "If I saw that bullet coming towards you, I 
 could catch it in my hand." 
 
 Saracen Gay never questioned the accuracy of this state- 
 ment. He merely remarked in a quiet way peculiar to him : 
 
 "Good gracious ! how smart you are ! " 
 
 After the performance Flappins moved up to Furflew 
 and addressed him in an undertone. By the aid of a few 
 sentences he explained the standing and character of Sar- 
 acen Gay and the plan they had agreed to for adding to 
 their party so as to have a good time. As a matter of 
 course, this suited Furflew admirably. Touching Flappins 
 in the ribs with the point of his elbow, he said: "I'm in 
 it. Bet your bottom dollar. We'll paint the town red, 
 and lay it on thick. Now," continued Furflew, "let us 
 meet him, and hear me go through the first act." Coming 
 to the place where Saracen Gay was standing, Furflew 
 resumed : 
 
 " What poor man is this, my dear Flappins ? " 
 
 "Him?" answered Flappins, in well-feigned surprise. 
 " Why, he is a poor fellow that's off and on here, now and 
 again and between times, until you imagine there is noth- 
 ing left of him. There ain't his like nowhere. In fact, 
 he is the poorest man in Christendom." 
 
 "Bless me! how distressing that is!" said Furflew. 
 " By the bye, Flappins, I tell you what we might do.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 187 
 
 When my carriage comes round tomorrow, we might take 
 him up and give him a lift." 
 
 "Just the thing," said Flappins. 
 
 Saracen Gay, extending his hand to Furflew, answered 
 for himself like a gentleman. 
 
 "Thank you. Your goodness may meet its reward 
 when least expected. The poor man will be glad to 
 accept your kind offer." Then, as Furflew turned away 
 departing for his lodgings, the speaker resumed, addressing 
 Flappins, "You're a great manager, Ris. Who would 
 have thought it ? that fellow goes home with the convic- 
 tion that I am as poor as a church mouse." 
 
 "And he never dreams that he might get plugged," 
 rejoined Flappins, laughing. 
 
 "That's the best joke of all," returned Saracen Gay; 
 "but," he resumed, " you are truly a wonderful man." 
 
 Whatever were the private opinions of the actors in this 
 drama as to the congruity or incongruity of the persona- 
 tion each had assumed, the following day carried with it 
 a full measure of amusement for them all. Furflew, seated 
 in the center of the carriage, with the most important air 
 he could assume, viewed the crowd with a critical eye; 
 Flappins, with a broad grin on his countenance, occupied 
 the box seat and held the reins well, while Saracen Gay, 
 appearing behind, seemed delighted with himself, with the 
 situation, and the people at large. 
 
 Knowing the peculiarities of "the poor man of Chris- 
 tendom," a vast congregation assembled on hearing that 
 he had taken up the ventriloquist and permitted public 
 exhibitions from his carriage. The applause was immense ; 
 he was lauded to the skies. It was a great day for Furflew, 
 and a vindication of his belief in the business of a street
 
 188 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 fakir. Once he saw Herondine in the crowd, which re- 
 minded him of his real character; but he said within him- 
 self patriotically, "I could capture this place without firing 
 a shot." Into the work before him he threw his whole 
 energy and spirit. He squealed like a hog caught under a 
 gate, held dialogues with persons in the air above him, 
 imitated the calls of birds and beasts, and sang humorous 
 songs in half a dozen different tones. 
 
 While the amusement was at its height some one spoke 
 to Saracen Gay. As the people saluted this man with 
 much deference, it was evident he was a character of some 
 importance. Indeed, we may say without betraying con- 
 fidence that he was a member of the Confederate govern- 
 ment. The occupant of the carriage by a motion of his 
 hand invited him to a seat, which was immediately ac- 
 cepted, for Saracen Gay was personally acquainted with 
 the most conspicuous men in the South, and assisted them 
 in prosecuting the war. As it appeared just at this time 
 that Furflew should be afforded a rest, Flappins drove 
 through the city leisurely ; while Saracen Gay and his new 
 friend began a conversation of more than ordinary interest, 
 especially to Furflew. 
 
 "Well, poor man," said the late arrival, "we're mov- 
 ing." 
 
 "Saracen Gay, believing that this assertion referred to 
 the motion of the carriage, looked down at the vehicle and 
 having been reminded of yesterday's unfinished conversa- 
 tion with Flappins regarding its transit, suddenly asked 
 that worthy : 
 
 " How did it come, Ris? You never told me." 
 
 "Didn't I, though ?" answered Flappins. "For that 
 oversight I'll kick myself when I get down ; you may rely
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 189 
 
 on it. What do you think the fools did ? Instead of hitch- 
 ing the thing as I directed, they went to work and carried 
 it, wheels, body, seats, and all." 
 
 "Did you ever!" exclaimed Saracen Gay, laughing 
 heartily at the supposed absurdity of the railroad people. 
 
 The newcomer resumed more impressively than he had 
 begun : 
 
 " I mean, Saracen, that we are moving in the war." 
 
 "O! ah! sure enough! How far have we gone?" 
 exclaimed the party addressed. 
 
 " Beauregard thinks we can reach Washington in three 
 months, and hold it as long as we please," replied the 
 other. 
 
 " I believe we can," responded Saracen Gay gravely. 
 
 "Although he is our leading general at present, there 
 are persons in high places who have some one else in their 
 eye for general-in-chief. For my part, I'm a Beauregard 
 man. ' ' 
 
 "Quite right," said Saracen Gay; " he's good enough 
 for anybody; but tell me what is there on the boards? " 
 
 " We are going to establish the capital of the Confed- 
 eracy at Richmond, Virginia; Beauregard has been ordered 
 to push north with a large force ; and Johnston goes to the 
 Shenandoah valley, so as to check any advance of the 
 enemy in that direction. We are yet in the lead." 
 
 After further discourse on the subject, the gentleman 
 desired to return home, as he had a large mass of cor- 
 respondence to answer, and was driven to his residence : 
 but Saracen Gay was not tired of amusement; so the 
 carriage continued in motion, carrying the three curious 
 characters heretofore described, so humorous and yet so 
 dissimilar.
 
 190 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " Can you tell me, Flappins," asked "the poor man of 
 of Christendom," "why I don't get letters through the 
 post office like that man ? " 
 
 "Ah, Saracen, that is a puzzler. Why, indeed? Per- 
 haps our friend Furflew knows ? " 
 
 It appears that Furflew answeied to his real name when 
 starting for Alabama, believing it as much unknown as any 
 new one he could assume. 
 
 "Why, I know," replied Furflew; "because you are 
 poor. ' ' 
 
 Saracen Gay chuckled with delight on hearing this state- 
 ment, it fitted his thoughts so accurately. 
 
 " If you can foretell things to come, perhaps I could 
 find out when I will get a letter," he said. 
 
 "You will get one tomorrow," replied Furflew, resolv- 
 ing secretly to send the desired communication himself. 
 
 " Ris, isn't he wonderful ? " said Saracen Gay, address- 
 ing Flappins. 
 
 "Never struck his equal," answered the man. "I tell 
 you, Saracen," he continued, "now is your time to find 
 out things. You often ask me questions as far out of my 
 line as the man in the moon is from his Sunday clothes, 
 but you have your chance at last." 
 
 Flappins's proposition came upon his listeners with the 
 terrors of a thunderclap, the weak mind of Saracen Gay 
 being confused by it, which prevented him from concen- 
 trating his thoughts on a single idea, while Furflew knew in 
 his heart he could not answer correctly any ordinary ques- 
 tion beyond the knowledge he possessed of a few common 
 things. In his dilemma Saracen Gay appealed to Flappins. 
 
 "Ask him, Ris; you know what's good for me," he 
 said.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 191 
 
 Flappins, reflecting a moment on the nature of the diffi- 
 culty imposed on him, asked with an air of great wisdom : 
 
 " How can you know a man with swelled head? " 
 
 " He has always his pants turned up in rainy weather, 
 and wears a large charm on his watch chain," answered 
 Furflew, doubtful whether he had stated a truth or a false- 
 hood, but trusting to chance to carry him through the 
 ordeal to which he was then subjected. 
 
 " Hit the nail on the head ! " exclaimed Flappins, with 
 approval. 
 
 "Oh, how true he is!" said Saracen Gay; and he 
 added, "Thank heaven, I never do it." 
 
 After a further exchange of pleasantries, it was agreed to 
 meet next day in order to mature a plan which Furflew had 
 partially formed of extending the sphere of his usefulness 
 as a universal merrymaker. He determined on renting a 
 large hall in which he could display his genius and accom- 
 modate the business public in the evening after the manner 
 of a theater. 
 
 That night his interview with Herondine was long and 
 animated. A dispatch was sent at once to Washington 
 containing most important items of news concerning the 
 movements of the Confederacy. Moreover, Herondine 
 mentioned Furflew's efficient services and recommended 
 him to receive higher pay, as well as promotion, when the 
 requirements of the grades above him admitted of such. 
 
 Then Furflew, seating himself at a desk, wrote the 
 following letter to Saracen Gay : 
 
 I'm out of my way, Saracen Gay, to write to you. It's a long time 
 since you heard a word from me, because this is my first letter; but I 
 feel for you, my poor man, as much as I can, and therefore wish you 
 the right to vote in your own defense on pretense of being worthy. 
 
 What the people say, Saracen Gay, must be true about you. You're 
 the poorest man in Christendom or anywhere else, for the matter of
 
 192 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 that. The postman will not bring anything to the door of the poor 
 when 'tain't there, nor the police chief give relief should your leg of 
 mutton spoil in the boil. 
 
 All this goes to show, when you know, there's one thing you should 
 do. Get Furflew and follow him through thick and thin to the bitter 
 end. There is nothing like it. He'll amuse you. He'll make you 
 think in a wink of more fun than you would gather in a year without 
 him on a run. You may smile in a while at others of his ilk at a bilk 
 but with him you can soar to a roar or quaff till you laugh the mirth 
 of fifty clowns. FROM YOUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. 
 
 This epistle having been dressed and pointed by Heron- 
 dine so as to make it a combination of prose and doggerel 
 poetry, to harmonize with Furflew's humor, it was forwarded 
 to its destination, and the two secret operators separated 
 for the night. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 A TAKING DESIGN. 
 
 FURFLEW'S estimate of himself increased in propor- 
 tion to the success of his exhibitions of the art of 
 ventriloquism. He began to imagine he could readily 
 overshadow legitimate enterprise by the glamour of buffoon- 
 ery, and compel society, as it were, to reverse the decision 
 made against his trade, which had become so widespread 
 and deep-rooted as almost to defy the ultimatum of human 
 effort no matter how wisely or efficiently exercised. In 
 former times trick of the loop and jugglery were his favor- 
 ite operations or methods of making a living, the spirit of 
 vagabondism which they entailed having a peculiar influence 
 over his mind that was not by any means distasteful or 
 distressing, but, on the contrary, quite desirable; and 
 hence the eagerness with which he pursued them : but after 
 engaging in the service of Herondine he found it neces-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 193 
 
 sary to accept the practice of ventriloquism to the exclu- 
 sion of other tricks so as to stand within the boundaries of 
 the law. 
 
 His success in this department became so marked that 
 it fired his genius to advance after new glory and fresh 
 fields of wonder or delight. The ease displayed in the 
 capture of Saracen Gay and his man Flappins gave him 
 a potent factor on which to base valuable data for future 
 work. He concluded there were many persons who when 
 confronted by minds stronger than their own would will- 
 ingly obey their behests and feel a kind of pleasure under 
 their influence or restriction. Even the strongest people 
 are sometimes childlike. This was a great fact to seize 
 and utilize by one so illiterate as Furflew ; but the crafty 
 nature of the man made him as bold in research as a 
 scholar in philosophy or a thief after gain. 
 
 The plan submitted to Saracen Gay and Flappins when 
 they next met Furflew was both amusing and sensational. 
 The first named two men were to obey Furflew's dictation 
 and the direction of his ideas wholly during the time de- 
 voted to the exhibition as if their minds had no self-capac- 
 ity or power of control. If he asked them to see strange 
 birds on the stage, they should show proper signs of admira- 
 tion for these creatures, as if they really existed ; or, should 
 he declare that a section of the Tower of Babel was in their 
 presence, they must forthwith extend their hands for the 
 purpose of feeling the consistence of the ancient relic. 
 
 Saracen Gay became delighted with the prospect of fun 
 based on such flimsy pretenses as those advanced by Fur- 
 flew; but, shallow as his mind appeared to be, he believed 
 the public generally were given to delusions and would not 
 hesitate now, nor would it add much to the discomfiture of
 
 194 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 mankind to introduce and promulgate a new one. Hence 
 he entered vigorously into the design and consented to 
 follow Furflew's instructions to the letter, guaranteeing the 
 same for his man Flappins. In giving his views on the 
 occasion, Saracen Gay remarked : 
 
 " It's like catching a man on the hip, or worse." 
 
 "Just the thing," answered Flappins. "We might 
 call it the science of hipism." 
 
 "Or hypnotism," added Saracen Gay. "How consid- 
 erate you are, Flappins, to give me the suitable word and 
 then approve it ! but you were always great." 
 
 Furflew, not to be outdone in courtesy, said : 
 
 " The name is O. K. Now, to make the public stick to it 
 we'll do this: whenever you stand up in answer to my 
 calls, walk as if you were bound in the hips, or hip-screwed. 
 They will see at once that the secret power raises Cain with 
 the hips to begin with, and spreads over the rest of the 
 body afterwards." 
 
 That night there was a large- audience to greet Furflew 
 in the public hall which had been rented for the occasion. 
 Having become popular on the street, the opening night, 
 the first of his evening performances, was well patron- 
 ized. Harassed by civil war on the one hand, the people 
 favored anything likely to amuse them on the other. If 
 they wept today, it was their intention to laugh tomorrow. 
 Such is human nature, true to natural law ; which gives us 
 sunshine and showers, growth and decay, consolidating and 
 loosening life and death. 
 
 Furflew rose to eminence when the curtain went up and 
 he stood face to face with those who were willing to pay for 
 mirth. Not only had he devoted more attention to his dress 
 to meet the importance of this the greatest triumph of his
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 195 
 
 life, but he exceeded his previous efforts at mimicry and 
 fairly bristled with genius. It was towards the close of the 
 series of performances already announced that he undertook 
 to introduce his new scheme. Extending his right hand 
 towards the audience as if he meant to exercise conjuration 
 over it, he said : 
 
 " If any one here feels my secret power, let him or her 
 stand up." 
 
 The surprise which this proposition evoked was barely at 
 its height when one equally great followed. Two men 
 responded to the invitation and stood rigid in their places, 
 one on each side of the hall, awaiting further instructions. 
 At a glance it could be seen they were Saracen Gay and his 
 man Risbon Flappins. The incident gave rise to great 
 merriment. The house roared. It was a new thing, a 
 taking design, and succeeded even beyond all expectation. 
 
 " Come forward," said Furflew. 
 
 The men moved in obedience to the command, but it 
 was noticed they slid their feet over the surface of the floor 
 as if unable to walk freely or that they were suffering from 
 rigidity of the joints. When they reached the stage and 
 began to perform in obedience to the suggestions of Fur- 
 flew, the house went into new bursts of applause and mer- 
 riment. Saracen Gay and Flappins danced to the strains 
 of imaginary music, pulled bell ropes that had no exist- 
 ence, and threshed corn where there was none, besides 
 executing several other remarkable feats under the spell of 
 enchantment by which they seemed bound. Nor did the 
 amusement of the occasion falter at this point. Something 
 else appeared that transcended all other incidents witnessed 
 that evening, and wound up in a climax long to be remem- 
 bered.
 
 196 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 During a lull in the performance, a tall, dark-visaged 
 man was seen to enter the lower end of the side passage 
 leading the entire length of the hall from one of the street 
 entrances to the stage. He seemed to have just arrived 
 and to want to transact a little business of importance with 
 the performer ; for he held his head high in the air, 
 hummed to himself a favorite tune, glanced furtively, if 
 not carelessly, at the audience, and smiled when he saw the 
 men on the stage in the full glare of the gaslight. It was 
 evident from his nonchalant manner he felt quite at home 
 and sure of his purpose. He even stopped and leaned 
 against the wall so as to permit the people to enjoy the full 
 measure of pleasure which appeared to be their portion on 
 that night. 
 
 Furflew saw the stranger the first instant of his appear- 
 ance. In the glory of his triumph, it was some time be- 
 fore he realized anything odd or unusual in the circum- 
 stance. When, however, he began to see clearly what the 
 dark man's presence meant, he stood up first in awe, then 
 trembled like one in front of an executioner. He turned 
 red ; then grew white. His companions heard him mutter 
 a sound resembling the combination of a curse and a groan, 
 but believed it was due as much to exultation as anything 
 else, so little do some people know of the reality. His 
 look was so intently fixed on the man in the alleyway that 
 the people believed the latter a fresh neophyte of hypno- 
 tism, whereas, unfortunately, Furflew in this case was the 
 victim. He was not only caught on the hip, but through 
 the heart and on the head, metaphorically speaking, by 
 him who had been the terror of his life and who had ap- 
 peared once more to seal his doom forever Danderton 
 Hitch, the detective !
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 197 
 
 In the big pocket of his overcoat Danderton rattled 
 something like a chain. To some ears the sound was inter- 
 esting, if not musical ; but Furflew knew it to emanate 
 from the links of a set of handcuffs with which his enemy 
 loved to play before seizing his prisoner. It was like the 
 ominous stroke of a hammer in the construction of a 
 gallows to him who was about to be executed. Before his 
 first paroxysm of fear ended, he felt his wrists alternately 
 with each hand, contemplating their power of endurance, 
 and looked around the stage as if seeking a precipice into 
 which he meant to fall, like one pursued by a vicious dog. 
 
 It was singular and terrible how he had become the sport 
 of circumstances. Raised to a great height by success in 
 one instant, only to fall into ignominious defeat the next. 
 Yesterday the idol of the people, today a prisoner for he 
 would be one presently, with the prospect of a dark cell in 
 the enemy's prison awaiting him and certain death imme- 
 diately thereafter. He shuddered; and Saracen Gay thought 
 the current of air through the hall was making him cold. 
 This was the first time he had encountered real danger, 
 and, naturally, the situation astounded him; but by a great 
 effort he preserved a calm demeanor and ventured to look 
 up a plan of escape. There could be no doubt Danderton 
 had the advantages in his favor, compared with Furflew, 
 in the present emergency. He possessed the secret of the 
 performer's identity, knew he had been a soldier in the 
 Confederate army in Charleston harbor, and strongly sus- 
 pected him of being what he really was a companion of 
 Herondine and a spy in the service of the North. 
 
 When the interval of rest terminated, Danderton ad- 
 vanced towards the stage. At the same time, Furflew, 
 stepping to the footlights, addressed the audience. He said :
 
 198 AV THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "You see, fellow-citizens, my followers are increasing. 
 Now, this third man will act rather strangely and therefore 
 must be held by the others until he grows tame under force. 
 He has caught on lively. Got a full dose, you bet, and is 
 in it. Flappins and Saracen, you see to him." 
 
 As Danderton stepped on the stage, Flappins seized him 
 by the collar, and a wild tussle ensued amid the uproar of 
 the house. The struggle was fierce for a short time, during 
 which Danderton endeavored to draw his revolver; but 
 Flappins had anticipated the movement and held his arm 
 with his right hand, while with his left he gave him a 
 straight punch in the stomach that came near doubling him 
 up. 
 
 "Give it to him good, Ris," said Saracen Gay, delighted 
 with such fun, as he hopped round the contestants, but was 
 afraid to touch either lest he should be sent sprawling to 
 the floor. 
 
 "Saracen, you leave him to me," said Flappins. "It 
 ain't becoming for a poor man as you are to handle such 
 game as this. I could settle three like him." 
 
 Saracen Gay laughed immoderately at this assurance, 
 being unable to speak through excess of feeling. It could 
 be easily seen that Flappins was gifted with great power, 
 and delighted in giving it a test. Danderton was strong, 
 full of endurance, and athletic ; but in the hands of Flap- 
 pins he was a mere boy. 
 
 "Keep that little gun in your pocket," said Flappins, 
 after he had convinced his opponent how useless it was for 
 him to attempt to gain superiority by the exercise of brute 
 force, " because it might hurt yourself. Little toys of that 
 kind are liable to do some damage in the hands of chil- 
 dren."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 199 
 
 "Do you know who I am?" asked Danderton, with 
 some pride, while he trembled from chagrin and pain. 
 
 " Hear him, Saracen," rejoined Flappins. 
 
 " I know him, Ris," answered Saracen Gay. " He's an 
 old pumpkin." 
 
 "I tell you I am a " 
 
 The conclusion of this sentence was drowned in the 
 burst of laughter which the two friends sent forth and that 
 was taken up by the audience as an assurance that they were 
 fully amused by the vagaries of hypnotism as shown in the 
 new convert. 
 
 But where was Furflew? Looking around the stage, 
 Saracen Gay found he had disappeared, but, strange to say, 
 ascribed his absence to natural causes rather than to the 
 fear of impending danger. Hence, when the janitor came 
 forward and announced the performance at an end, no one 
 suspected there had occurred anything outside the sphere 
 of ordinary stage business. 
 
 The people rose and crowded into the passages, jostling 
 against each other good-humoredly in their efforts to get 
 out, and laughing at remarks pertaining to the evening's 
 amusement. Flappins discharged Danderton with an ad- 
 monition not to attempt interference with " the poor man 
 of Christendom" or his affairs in future, otherwise he 
 would come to grief soon and sudden ; and then with his 
 master mingled through the crowd, believing they would 
 meet Furflew on the following morning. 
 
 It must be said of the Northern man that the chief inci- 
 dents of that night were the boldest and most skillful acts 
 of his whole career. Even during his retreat, with his 
 glory extinguished like the snuffing of a candle, he chuck- 
 led at the cleverness of his venture how he managed to
 
 200 /A r THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 escape capture. When Flapping laid hold of Danderton, 
 Furflew withdrew through a door at the back of the stage, 
 and, meeting the janitor in the corridor, told him his 
 assistants were at the last act and when they had finished 
 he could step on to the stage and announce the perform- 
 ance at an end. As payment in advance had been made 
 for the use of the hall, the request would be complied with, 
 the man said ; and Furflew left the building. Then his 
 make-up came down piece by piece. The artificial nose 
 was crushed into his pocket ; the mustache disappeared ; 
 his hat was given an ugly bruise to knock it out of shape ; 
 and he pulled the collar of his coat around his neck as if 
 suffering from malaria. In this condition he appeared 
 before Herondine, who recognized instantly that danger 
 must be near at hand. 
 
 " I am ready," said the chief. " What is it? " 
 
 "The old thing; Danderton is on the track," replied 
 Furflew; and he added, "just fifteen minutes to get out." 
 
 "Pooh!" rejoined Herondine, "more time than we 
 need. The bills are paid, the line is clear, and nothing 
 further to detain us. Come." 
 
 They left the hotel hurriedly together and five minutes 
 afterward were in the secret route on their way to Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 "I wonder where is Furflew," said Saracen Gay, looking 
 round and addressing Flappins after they had waited in 
 vain on the street for his reappearance next day. 
 
 " I bet a dime the friends of that dandy fellow we had a 
 tussle with last night ran into him. They'd do it to get 
 even for giving him the hypnotize." 
 
 "That's it, sure, Ris. How many do you think went 
 at him?"
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 201 
 
 " Oh ! about seventeen, all told, from the grandfather 
 down to the third cousin far removed." 
 
 "It was lucky we were not in his company when it 
 happened." 
 
 "Lucky for them, you mean! I should say it was. 
 I'd have whipped the entire crowd in two minutes and a 
 half. After that you could see nothing of them but the 
 dust they raised while flying from my vengeance." 
 
 "I say, Flappins," said Saracen Gay after a hearty 
 laugh, "didn't the new fellow take to it in great style, 
 though?" 
 
 " Never saw the beat of it, Saracen. Why, I could feel 
 the darn thing on the inside riling me while I held him. 
 It was nothing else." 
 
 " Flappins, I'm serious. Could we not open business on 
 our own account? " 
 
 " Of course we can. In these later days I never heard 
 anything so novel as this suggestion of yours." 
 
 "We might follow in our comrade's footsteps, be his 
 disciples, and take on to the profession." 
 
 "That is a rernarkably bright idea, Saracen." 
 
 "We could make money, you know." 
 
 " Barrels of it; but, as you will never be more than a 
 poor man, I could take the coin as my share." 
 
 " And what would you call mine, Ris? " 
 "Let me see," answered Flappins reflectively. "I'd 
 name it 'the honor of the thing.' You are the soul of 
 honor. That is all you need, and that's all you'd get." 
 
 " Oh, how wise you are, Flappins, and considerate ! but 
 tell me would we attempt ventriloquism ? ' ' 
 
 " Naw," returned the man contemptuously. " There is 
 too much uphill work and squeaking in that job. Plain
 
 202 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 hypnotism as received from the professor is all we'll do ; 
 for, let me tell you, Saracen, of all the easy trades to learn 
 in the world that stands first." 
 
 " Suppose some of the converts become unmanageable ?" 
 
 " Put on an extra hand one of the unemployed." 
 
 " Do you think, Flappins, it will be easy to find persons 
 to act as we did under the influence of hypnotism, you 
 know?" 
 
 "I'll manage that part, you bet. Get 'em by the dozen. 
 If in no other way, run 'em in at a dollar a head." 
 
 " Then we need not bring them along like circus people 
 or those of a box-show? " 
 
 "Not much. We can find a new set in everyplace. 
 You and I will be professors, dress in long coats with fur 
 collars, wear flesh-colored gloves, carry riding whips, have 
 our handkerchiefs scented every morning, up to snuff, and 
 let our hair grow down to our shoulders. O Saracen, 
 won't we have the gay old times ! " 
 
 Saracen Gay laughed until tears came into his eyes at 
 the golden prospect outlined by Flappins. When he re- 
 covered sufficiently to speak, he said : 
 
 " Ris, you're wonderful. I believe you are the greatest 
 there is." 
 
 "I have something more to spring on to you, Saracen. 
 We'll get out bills. I'll engineer it in this way. I'll pile 
 up the biggest sell out all for fun, of course. This is 
 what will meet the public eye : * The Greatest Attraction 
 of the Age. Wonders of Nature Revealed. Saturday 
 evening at South Side Hall there will appear for the first 
 time Professor Risbon Flappins assisted by Professor Sara- 
 cen Gay in their soul-stirring exhibitions of hypnotism 
 which have lately captured public attention by their won-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 203 
 
 derful and mysterious power. Come early and secure seats.' ' 
 
 " Now, really, Ris, will the people gather in response to 
 this invitation and pay money besides? " 
 
 "Will they? If the hall ain't crowded to the door 
 never call me Flappins again, but 'fool.' Why, Saracen, 
 you have no idea the way people spend hard-earned 
 money ; but, as it's none of our business except to take it 
 in, mum's the word." 
 
 In order to complete his preliminary arrangements for 
 the contemplated performance, Flappins left Saracen Gay 
 at home and proceeded to the city alone on a tour of in- 
 vestigation. He was desirous of ascertaining how far he 
 could be successful in the enlistment or engagement of 
 persons willing to act as if under hypnotic or exterior 
 influence, paying them, of course, a stated sum for their 
 services. It occurred to him if those skilled in singing or 
 dancing were selected and paid a higher rate of wages than 
 ordinary workers, the introduction of hypnotism as their 
 additional accomplishment on the stage would add largely 
 to the general amusement. In this design they would, he 
 thought, exceed the details of Furflew's masterly entertain- 
 ment, and he was quite correct. The evidence of his 
 success appeared next day when he and his employer sat in 
 the anteroom of the hall where their theatrical venture was 
 to appear. About noon, Flappins, beckoning to Saracen 
 Gay as a sign that he was to accompany him, said : 
 
 " Come, Saracen, let me show you something." Throw- 
 ing open the door, the man continued : " Look." 
 
 The passage was full of people : nay, on reaching the 
 front entrance they saw a multitude on the outside, of all 
 ages and conditions, awaiting with apparent eagerness 
 some expected event.
 
 204 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " Flappins," said Saracen Gay, in amazement, "do tell 
 me what are these people looking for ; what, in fact, is their 
 objective point? " 
 
 " Those," replied the man, speaking guardedly in a low 
 tone so as not to be heard by any one but his companion, 
 " want the hypnotize bad, for all that's out. I gave a few 
 pointers last night in several places just to see how the thing 
 would work, and here we are as full of business as a green 
 grocer on a Saturday night. Oh ! the way they catch on 
 is a caution." 
 
 " How did you do it, Ris? " 
 
 " I told them we'd pay a dollar a head for rough ones, 
 and upwards for better or worse, as the case might be." 
 
 " Are they willing to act ? " 
 
 "Like a charm." 
 
 " Won't tell the secret ? " 
 
 " Naw, any more nor you or I." 
 
 "It's wonderful," said Saracen Gay reflectively, and he 
 continued : " How can we get out of this scrape? " 
 
 " There ain't none. We will employ ten new hands every 
 night while the play lasts, and tell the others to call again." 
 
 The performance presented by Flappins and Saracen Gay 
 that night was a brilliant exposition of the new science. 
 "The poor man of Christendom " was delighted beyond 
 description, for he had found a profession suited to his con- 
 dition and tastes. Henceforth Flappins need not worry 
 about discovering new sources of pleasure to amuse his 
 charge, because Furflew's ingenious contrivance covered 
 the whole field. In speaking of their success, Saracen Gay 
 remarked : 
 
 "Ris, our friend the professor was great in more ways 
 than one. Don't you recollect how he foretold I would
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 205 
 
 get a letter next day? Well, sure enough, it came. That 
 was the most wonderful insight into the future I ever knew 
 or heard of. Did you ever hear anything to beat it, Ris? " 
 
 "Never, Saracen; nor anybody else, to my way of 
 thinking." 
 
 " It came from our own correspondent. I never knew 
 we had one, Ris. How did you get him on? " 
 
 Flappins seemed puzzled by this question, but, after some 
 reflection, replied : 
 
 " I gave him a trial to see how he'd make it, engaging 
 at the same time that we would call quits after the first 
 letter. I said I didn't want to see him work himself up, 
 like one man I knew in a newspaper office, who resembled 
 a chimney sweep he was blacker at the top than he was at 
 the bottom. He couldn't write anything better than his 
 first, or worse at any stage of his elevation. Therefore I 
 advised him to keep as dark in the future as he was in the 
 past." 
 
 "You're a wonderful judge, Ris," remarked Saracen 
 Gay, as the two professors moved off to their quarters so as 
 to prepare for the enjoyment of a good dinner. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 SOME SECRETS NEVER TOLD. 
 
 HERONDINE and Furflew returned to Washington 
 after their second hazardous expedition in the midst 
 of popular excitement and active preparation for war on 
 a large scale. There was little delay in reaching a new 
 duty. Herondine was designated an emergency aid-de-
 
 206 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 camp to the commanding general in the field. This assign- 
 ment was not known to the public or spread on the records; 
 indeed, the commander had no conception of the number 
 or identity of such aids in his service ; but it was a fact, 
 notwithstanding, and deemed advisable by the Secret Serv- 
 ice Bureau as a precautionary measure rarely if ever omitted 
 on important occasions; and, besides, accorded entirely 
 with the man's own wishes. Thus Herondine would in 
 time come face to face with death on the battlefield. Furflew 
 attended to his chief's horse as well as his own, which car- 
 ried a pack saddle filled with necessaries. 
 
 One peculiarity of the secret service is, the agents of it 
 are free to wander where they please, guided by their own 
 judgment. Although Herondine and Furflew had specific 
 duties, yet they were bound to no man nor restrained in 
 their movements by any general or special order. Hence 
 their preparations were made to partake of as much com- 
 fort and satisfaction as possible without trespassing too far 
 on official privilege. 
 
 While in Washington, they listened to the news some- 
 what after the manner of children awed into silence by 
 the deep reverberations of thunder. Every day nay, 
 every hour came charged with sensational events. Vir- 
 ginia, the grand old state, with its comely physical features 
 and famous historical record, plunged headlong into seces- 
 sion, carrying with it the future general-in-chief of the 
 Confederate army and a host of soldiers. The Sixth Mass- 
 achusetts Regiment of militia, on its way to Washington, 
 was attacked by a mob in the streets of Baltimore, showing 
 the sympathy prevailing at that point for the cause of the 
 South ; and that portion of public opinion heretofore 
 muzzled by the law, now broke loose without restraint into
 
 THE FIA'ST DEGREE. 207 
 
 one long tirade of abuse against order, decency, and 
 justice. 
 
 People began to imagine the pretensions of the North 
 regarding the Union could not be sustained In the face of 
 all these significant signs ; and even men of superior ability, 
 whose opinions had been consulted on these questions, held 
 it wise to let the South go. 
 
 The information obtained by the Federal government, 
 through its agents, of the plans of the Confederacy pointed 
 to an early movement on Washington with the intention of 
 capturing that stronghold and thus forcing a settlement of 
 the war in harmony with Southern aspirations ; and it soon 
 became apparent that this belief was well founded, for not 
 only did the Southern executive change its situation from 
 Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia, but the 
 veteran general Beauregard, with most of the available 
 troops of the South about twenty-five thousand men 
 appeared in that state and began the construction of a for- 
 tified line of defense along the river Bull Run, extending in 
 a direction southeast to northwest, within two days' march 
 of the Federal capital. While this movement was not 
 necessarily the inauguration of a siege line or a storming 
 party, yet no one could predict to what uses it might be 
 applied in future if disaster overtook the Union soldiers. 
 
 The situation was decidedly menacing. General Beau- 
 regard's headquarters were at Manassas Junction, a point 
 of meeting for the Orange, Alexandria, and Manassas Gap 
 railroads; and Bull Run was situated about three miles in 
 front, in the direction of Washington. To the right, 
 thirty miles distant on the lower Potomac River, was a 
 Confederate force of three thousand men under General 
 Holmes ; while on the left, sixty miles away, appeared the
 
 208 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Army of the Shenandoah, under the command of General 
 Joseph E. Johnston, eight or nine thousand strong. This 
 force rested on the upper Potomac, and completed an 
 irregular crescent whose principal points not only threat- 
 ened Washington, but also commanded the approaches to 
 Richmond. 
 
 The part of Virginia where Beauregard's army then oper- 
 ated was one great plain, relieved to some extent by the 
 ridge of the Blue Mountains, forming the eastern boundary 
 of the Shenandoah valley. The passage of the James 
 River, on which Richmond is situated, was guarded by 
 two Confederate forces ; and altogether this first strategic 
 display on the part of the South seemed to indicate im- 
 mense success in the near future. 
 
 On the other hand, the executive in Washington, ad- 
 vised by the veteran general Winfield Scott, pushed for- 
 ward troops to check the further advance of the Confed- 
 erates and protect the people of a few doubtful states from 
 the baleful influence of secession. General Patterson, an 
 experienced and reliable officer, commanded the Federal 
 right wing about fifteen thousand men in front of 
 Johnston. General B. F. Butler occupied the left with a 
 force of Union patriots, while Irvin McDowell, promoted 
 to the rank of brigadier general for the occasion, assumed 
 control of the center, designed to test the prowess of Beau- 
 regard's army. 
 
 It was a fair adjustment of principals, where the men in 
 whom the North confided were as staunch and brave and 
 reputable as their opponents ; and no decision could be 
 deduced from appearances or conjecture as to how the 
 palm of victory should tend in the first great battle of the 
 war.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 209 
 
 General McDowell claimed Columbus, Ohio, as his 
 birthplace. He was a classmate of Beauregard's at the 
 military academy of West Point, and after graduating with 
 honors at that institution was assigned to the artillery 
 branch of the United States army. Besides his educational 
 courses in America, he had spent some of his earlier years 
 in the college of Troyes, France ; so that his varied accom- 
 plishments and the broad scope of his knowledge fitted 
 him for important military services in his native country. 
 He was instructor of infantry tactics at West Point, adju- 
 tant general of General Wool's column in the Mexican 
 War, aid-de-camp to the general-in-chief at Washington, 
 and inspector of troops. On General Scott's recommenda- 
 tion he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 
 May, 1 86 1, and assigned to the command of the Depart- 
 ment of Northwestern Virginia, where the troops constitut- 
 ing the center of the Federal army were congregating. 
 
 General McDowell was a whole-souled patriot and 
 soldier, faithful to his country in the hour of her peril, 
 with the instincts of a gentleman, the ability of a scholar, 
 and the honesty of one in whom the nation at large could 
 implicitly trust. His command began to form on the 
 south side of the Potomac River opposite Washington 
 some time before his assignment to duty with it, and in 
 numbers finally reached about thirty-five thousand men, 
 with forty-nine pieces of artillery. Besides being bur- 
 dened with the weight of a critical public opinion, ever 
 ready to censure or question his movements if not in har- 
 mony with the current of its spontaneous views, McDowell 
 had other difficulties to meet in the formation of his army, 
 the most important being that the three-months men 
 enlisted in April would be entitled to leave the field in
 
 210 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 July; and if any considerable number of these soldiers 
 made a homeward movement on the eve of a battle, it 
 might probably result in disaster to those remaining if not 
 supported by fresh troops. However, a large class of the 
 people of the North was eager for active field service ; and, 
 stimulated by the cry of " On to Richmond," McDowell 
 gave the order to march. 
 
 Herondine and Furflew were among the crowd of civil- 
 ians present with the army on the morning of that memor- 
 able day, July sixteenth, 1861, when the bugle sounded 
 the call to arms and the long roll of the drums beat the 
 summons to "fall in." It was noon before the line of 
 march was taken up, the men being cheered by the inspir- 
 ing sounds of martial music and the sight presented to 
 view of moving columns of comrades in gay uniforms. 
 Nevertheless, it must be admitted the soldiers sweltered 
 under their equipments. The weather was hot, the roads 
 dry and dusty, as well as blocked up by trees, causing 
 much delay and the expenditure of extra labor in clearing 
 the passage. Besides, although the general conformation 
 of the land seemed flat, there were inequalities in the sur- 
 face of it, tending to impede the steady advance of troops ; 
 yet nature supplied some relief to him who turned to her 
 in that hour. 
 
 The view on each side of the route was pleasing, diver- 
 sified by the appearance of trees in groups, picturesque 
 ravines, and pleasant-looking homesteads. One could see 
 the solemn aspect of spruce, cedar, and -pine among the 
 woods, and the far-famed evergreen holly decking the 
 upland near the houses. Clusters of ferns flanked the 
 trail, interspersed with honeysuckle, lupine, and fairy flax ; 
 and in the orchards, which were numerous, the appearance
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 211 
 
 of fruit gave evidence that the coming yield would be 
 abundant. In the still atmosphere the songs of birds were 
 heard, as if intended to be an accompaniment to the sun- 
 shine; and many limpid streams of crystal water came 
 gushing to the feet of the invaders, echoing the music 
 above. 
 
 The Confederates fell back without offering much resist- 
 ance, in obedience to the orders of their commander, 
 whose strategic plans had been matured some time before 
 the Federal advance. Tyler's division of the Federal 
 army, with orders to push beyond Centerville, where 
 McDowell's headquarters were stationed, and appear as if 
 intending to move on Manassas Junction, the place where 
 the Confederate army was supposed to be, was made ab- 
 ruptly aware of the true position, for, while reconnoitering 
 on the eighteenth with Richardson's brigade, Tyler came 
 upon the enemy at Blackburn's Ford, on Bull Run, fully 
 three miles northward of Manassas. Attempting to force 
 a closer inspection of the ford, Tyler was driven back, 
 suffering some loss in killed and wounded. Other recon- 
 noissances and reports came in giving evidence of the fact 
 that along the banks of this beautiful stream the battle 
 must be fought, for Beauregard's forces were here prepared 
 to dispute any further invasion of their territory. 
 
 The Confederate line of battle followed the serpentine 
 course of the stream for a distance of eight miles, the 
 right resting at Union Mills, southeast, while the left held 
 the passage of the stone bridge, northwest, over which the 
 public road ran from Centerville to Gainesville and thence 
 towards Manassas. This road was also called the Warren- 
 ton turnpike. Between the right and left, the Confederate 
 forces had been distributed in groups brigades within
 
 212 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 supporting distance of each other. This plan became 
 feasible on account of the character of Bull Run, its banks 
 being rocky and precipitous, flanked by thick brushwood, 
 as well as that the stream itself was impassable, owing to 
 summer rains ; but at the intermediate points referred to 
 sand bars and gravel had formed tolerably fair passages 
 for teams, on which, generally, there appeared but a few 
 feet of water. These passages were called ''fords." 
 Thus, while General Ewell held the right at Union Mills, 
 Jones guarded the passage of McLean's Ford ; Longstreet, 
 that of Blackburn's Ford; Bonham, Mitchell's Ford; 
 Cocke, Ball's and Lewis's fords; and Evans, the stone 
 bridge. Besides, General Holmes came up on the eve of 
 battle to support Beauregard's right, and Johnston's army, 
 from the Shenandoah, to strengthen his left and center; 
 while McDowell received no addition to his army from 
 one point or the other, although numbers of his men had 
 fallen out of ranks since the beginning of the march. 
 
 It was Sunday morning, July twenty-first, 1861. The 
 dawn broke over the eastern sky with a sympathetic ex- 
 pression for the condition of the earth, regardless of the 
 petty turmoil agitating the minds of men. It smiled 
 sweetly at the appearance of night retreating over the hori- 
 zon like some contemptible wretch anxious to seek the cover 
 of an underground resort. Vibrations of light danced in 
 mid-air, creating a feeling of joy in the beholder. The 
 long, low bluff known as Bull Run Mountains, with Thor- 
 oughfare Gap in the center, became visible from elevated 
 points; and the dark patches of ground occupied by small 
 woods or ravines were enlivened by new and more cheerful 
 coloring. There was a balmy feeling in the atmosphere, 
 and a delicious odor, as if intending to induce rest and
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 213 
 
 refreshment on this Sabbath morning ; and far in the dis- 
 tance were views such as might originate dreams of happi- 
 ness in the breasts of the unfortunate and the hopeful if 
 mankind had been a little more civilized or had studied 
 more extensively the benign lessons of Mother Nature. 
 
 Before the door of a cottage by the wayside between 
 Centerville and Bull Run, a man might be seen through 
 the gray light of the morning, actively employed in groom- 
 ing two horses, and varying his labor by the application of 
 accouterments such as were deemed suitable for stern service 
 in war. The man wore a campaign hat jauntily fitted to 
 the side of his head; was fairly well attired, having a white 
 linen stable frock over his blue clothes; and wore service- 
 able boots with the spurs of a cavalryman, although, on 
 looking at him more closely, one could see that he was no 
 other than Herondine's attendant, Furflew, the lifelong 
 shuffler and ventriloquist so much does war change the 
 aspect of things in human life. 
 
 Suddenly the deep boom of a cannon filled the quiet 
 atmosphere with terrific commotion; for there was gene- 
 rated a feeling of terror in all who heard it, the air trem- 
 bled, the earth felt insecure, and the combatants within 
 reach of the sound understood that the battle had begun. 
 It was the thirty-pounder rifled gun attached to Carlisle's 
 battery, and was fired under the immediate supervision of 
 Lieutenant Haines, United States Artillery, at half past five 
 o'clock in the morning, as a signal that General Tyler, with 
 his division of the Union army, occupied the position as- 
 signed him in front of the stone bridge on Beauregard's 
 left. 
 
 In an instant Herondine appeared on the scene, with a 
 serious expression on his countenance, but ready for the
 
 214 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 saddle. He had just completed the breakfast prepared for 
 him by Furflevv a short time before. It may be said in ex- 
 planation of his presence here, that he had rented the cot- 
 tage temporarily from the owner, who had been advised to 
 move away to a less exposed district until the issues in the 
 present trouble were settled. They were modest but com- 
 fortable quarters, and protected from danger by hills al- 
 though quite near the stone bridge and the Gainesville 
 road, along which bodies of troops were marching. 
 
 "We're in it for sure," said Furflew, addressing Heron- 
 dine, as he threw up his head between the horses, whose 
 nostrils were sniffing the troubled void as if to ascertain the 
 extent of the commotion. 
 
 Herondine, pointing to the door, signified to the man 
 that he was to make a hasty repast, while he would mount 
 and wait his return. 
 
 " I'll go in to please you," answered Furflew, while suit- 
 ing the action to the word, "but I could no more eat on 
 this here day than fly across Bull Run. That there sound 
 is enough for me, and no doubt we'll get more of the same 
 kind purty soon. I'll take a couple of cold sandwiches 
 with me. They'll come in handy before the day's out, 
 you bet, if we don't git cold lead in place of 'em." 
 
 When the preparations for departure were completed and 
 both men on their horses faced the route over which they 
 were to travel, something of a marvelous nature arrested 
 their attention. It was a horseman at full speed whose 
 appearance and activity indicated that his errand must be 
 of great moment. He was coming on the parallel line to 
 Bull Run from a southern direction toward the northwest, 
 and would presently pass Herondine's headquarters. Her- 
 ondine suspected he was a courier from some of the gener-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 215 
 
 als on the other side, but wondered what his business would 
 be at this early hour and in such a place. 
 
 " Look to your pistols," he cried hastily, addressing Fur- 
 flew; and, reaching to his holsters for his own, awaited the 
 stranger's arrival. 
 
 When only a short distance from the place where they 
 had halted, rider and steed presented a splendid appearance. 
 The man was over the medium height, displaying great 
 strength and confidence in his physical powers. His face 
 was a little pale but enlivened by a manly expression in 
 which the well-formed features participated individually 
 and collectively. His brown hair clustered in thick curls 
 around his ears ; he sat erect in the saddle like one master 
 of the position; and the will power impetuously urging 
 him forward seemed to communicate with the spirit of his 
 horse and induce it to push with a mad energy through all 
 sections of the journey, whether easy of access or danger- 
 ous. 
 
 Notwithstanding his dress a gray suit, long boots, and 
 campaign hat, such as Confederate officers wore Heron- 
 dine concluded he was a Northern man. Nay, he smiled 
 as he saw the stranger give the sign, proving that he be- 
 longed to the secret service in which Herondine himself 
 was engaged ; and glancing at Furflew he became aware 
 that the individual mentioned was stricken with awe, as if 
 he had seen the whirlpool of Charybdis swallowing a ship 
 without hope of rescue. 
 
 "Cap," said Furflew a term applied to Herondine on 
 the new expedition on account of its near approach to the 
 military " I'll be doggoned if this ain't that there young 
 smarty we met in New York the clever one that Rid- 
 dleton feller, the book eater and aunt fancier. Oh ! look
 
 216 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 at him, will you, without winking! Ain't he a daisy, 
 though?" 
 
 It was indeed Rob Riddleton grown strong and bold 
 through hard exercise and the impulses of an active mind. 
 Pulling up, he recognized Herondine at a glance, and the 
 two friends exchanged very cordial greetings. Then, turn- 
 ing to Furflew, he shook him by the hand until he laughed 
 in admiration of the man, although the boom of the thirty- 
 pounder was again heard, and the rattle of musketry, show- 
 ing that the skirmishing lines of both armies were at work. 
 At a sign from Herondine, Furflew fell back some distance 
 to permit the unrestrained conversation of the two chiefs 
 brought together under such peculiar circumstances. 
 
 " At our headquarters in Washington I did not hear of 
 you," said Herondine, "and therefore am somewhat sur- 
 prised at your knowledge of our service (alluding to the 
 sign made by Rob Riddleton at his approach) as well as 
 that you appear in a Confederate dress." 
 
 "My rendezvous is Saint Louis," answered Riddleton ; 
 " besides, this," and he pointed inwardly to his tunic, " is 
 not a whit more questionable than the garb of Brother 
 Fishington, recently discarded by you." 
 
 "Why, Riddleton, you astonish me," said Herondine. 
 " I always gave you credit for immense powers of research, 
 but the knowledge of my method of operations looks like 
 necromancy. You ought to be chief." 
 
 Riddleton smiled at the compliment tendered him by 
 his friend. He rode up to Herondine until their horses' 
 flanks touched, and, placing one of his arms akimbo as if 
 intending to assume a nonchalant air, said impressively: 
 
 " I play the highest game on the boards. The chieftan- 
 ship of one side only is a tame affair. The restrictions im-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 217 
 
 posed on you, for instance, result merely in half measures 
 of gain. I cannot tolerate any such bondage ; therefore I 
 have chosen to be two characters in one, as coming nearest 
 the complement of my ambitious desires." 
 
 The gravity of Herondine's face became deep and dark 
 as he struggled with the thought uppermost in his mind 
 regarding the true character of his new-found friend. 
 " You do not mean to insinuate that you are " 
 As Herondine hesitated, Riddleton answered quickly : 
 " Aye, I am. I scout for both armies. See here." 
 Dismounting from his horse, with a few rapid move- 
 ments he turned his tunic inside out, reversed the covering 
 of his pantaloons, and lo, he returned to the saddle in the 
 dress of an aid-de-camp to a general in the Federal army. 
 "This is beyond my comprehension," remarked Heron- 
 dine, when his surprise had subsided sufficiently to enable 
 him to speak. 
 
 "In every profession there are high and low stages," re- 
 plied Riddleton. " The part that I play would be impos- 
 sible to others. I have capacity for it, and therefore it is 
 as easy of accomplishment to me as a boatman who dips 
 his oars in the water unconscious that he is executing intri- 
 cate movements. Assuming a disguise and gathering in- 
 formation of the enemy outside his lines are meritorious 
 enough, but going into his camp and sounding the inten- 
 tions of his commanders is much better. This I have done 
 even with less risks than one would imagine. I pass 
 through the Federal lines with as much ease as the Confed- 
 erate, because I have authority from both commanders. I 
 supply information to both, and it is evident each is satis- 
 fied ; otherwise I would be imprisoned or ordered to dis- 
 continue my visits."
 
 218 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " How can you give information of our army to the 
 Confederates without being considered a traitor?" asked 
 Herondine. 
 
 "That depends upon its character," replied his compan- 
 ion. " Some information is of no value ; therefore it could 
 be given without detriment to the Union : besides, I might 
 give a little that was important if by this means I could 
 obtain a greater share for the other side. Do you under- 
 stand? " 
 
 Herondine smiled at the ingenuity of his friend's meth- 
 ods, while Riddleton continued : 
 
 " Beauregard commands here," pointing towards the 
 south; "McDowell there," turning towards the north. 
 " They are mere puppets in my hands. I hold the key of 
 the situation. I can give victory to whom I choose." 
 
 Herondine looked up incredulously; and, being under- 
 stood, Riddleton after a short pause resumed : 
 
 "Now, friend, there are some secrets never told to the 
 public ; the one I am going to communicate to you is of 
 such a character. You will see that its importance and my 
 high estimate of your friendship will guarantee its safety 
 with you." Riddleton drew from his pocket a paper, and, 
 handing it to Herondine, said, "Read." 
 
 It was a dispatch from General Beauregard to General 
 Ewell, who commanded his right wing at Union Mills, as 
 before stated, directing him to march on Centerville and 
 attack McDowell's reserves. 
 
 "What have you done?" inquired Herondine. 
 
 "The delivery or the withdrawal of this dispatch will 
 change the whole character of the battle," returned Rid- 
 dleton. " I have kept it back so as to subserve my purposes. 
 I consider it a legitimate way of making a fortune for my-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 219 
 
 self, seeing the danger that surrounds me and the necessity 
 there exists of providing for the future. I am not playing 
 this game for Beauregard or McDowell, South or North ; I 
 am playing it for myself. I have bet my pile about ten 
 thousand dollars against the united sum of a club of ten 
 Southern gentlemen that I would win this battle for the 
 South. Of course, it is another way of offering me reward 
 for important services; and each one of these persons will be 
 enriched from other sources by the transaction, anyway." 
 
 " Surely," remarked Herondine solemnly, "this is trea- 
 son inexcusable." 
 
 " Oh, no ! " answered his friend pleasantly. " You see, 
 I am guided entirely by my own judgment. I have an in- 
 sight into things. I disobey Beauregard's commands by 
 not delivering his dispatch to General Ewell. This fact 
 will be sufficient to prove to McDowell that I have oper- 
 ated in the interests of the North and satisfy him fully 
 of my genuine character as his secret agent. But, mark 
 you, my own opinion is, if Ewell marched on Centerville 
 the South would lose the fight, because it would bring 
 McDowell's entire army into action, in which case the issue 
 must be very uncertain if not disastrous to the Confeder- 
 acy ; therefore I will be excused in the eyes of Beauregard. 
 I deserve something for this foresight, and I am going to 
 get it. By keeping Beauregard and his united army on the 
 south side of Bull Run, and half of McDowell's forces at 
 Centerville and beyond it out of supporting distance on 
 the day of action, it is easy to foresee the result. The 
 beauty and strangeness of such maneuvering of mine is 
 this : by operating against both sides to their detriment I 
 win their favor and a fortune for myself outside their juris- 
 diction or knowledge. This is what I call being smart."
 
 220 AV THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " Well," said Herondine* " you are a remarkable man ; 
 but, for my part, I could never resort to such plans, be- 
 cause I would be loath to execute them." 
 
 Without intimating what his future course or speculations 
 would be, Rob Riddleton resumed his wild ride over the 
 country, leaving Herondine and Furflew to pursue their 
 way at pleasure. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE CARRIER PIGEON FALLS. THE BATTLEFIELD. 
 
 HERONDINE, meditating profoundly on the strange 
 career of Rob Riddleton, urged his horse forward 
 towards the extremity of the elevated ground surrounding 
 his quarters, from which he could observe the further 
 progress of the battle and determine on the character of 
 his individual duties for the day. Nothing appeared to 
 occupy the early hours of the morning but the booming of 
 the great gun before mentioned and the action of the 
 skirmishers. On reaching the highest point available in 
 the vicinity of his route, he could account for these pecul- 
 iarities. The great contest of the day had not yet begun. 
 The range for the Confederate batteries in the neighbor- 
 hood of the stone bridge, and, indeed, for those of the 
 Federals also, was too long, excepting the thirty-pounder 
 Parrott, which was on a hill, and fired over the heads of 
 the skirmishers on duty nearer the enemy's line. 
 
 He could easily observe, also, the long lines of troops 
 on the flank movement contemplated by McDowell direct- 
 ing their course westerly so as to overlap Beauregard's left. 
 These columns consisted of the divisions of Hunter and
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 221 
 
 Heintzclman, and in all numbered about thirteen thousand 
 men. Hunter's division consisted of Porter's brigade of 
 three New York regiments, to which also were attached a 
 battalion of United States infantry commanded by Major 
 Sykes, a battalion of United States cavalry commanded by 
 Major Palmer, a battalion of United States marines led by 
 Major Reynolds, and Battery D of the Fifth United States 
 Artillery under Captain Charles Griffin, and Burnside's 
 brigade of four regiments, one being from New Hampshire, 
 two Rhode Island, and the Seventy-first New York, with 
 two howitzers and a battery of artillery, the latter being 
 the Rhode Island. 
 
 Heintzelman's division contained three brigades 
 Franklin's, Wilcox's, and Howard's. Franklin's brigade 
 contained two Massachusetts regiments and one from Min- 
 nesota, besides having attached to it Battery I, First United 
 States Artillery, commanded by Captain J. B. Ricketts. 
 Wilcox's brigade was made up of two New York regiments 
 and two Michigan regiments, and had attached to it Bat- 
 tery D, Second United States Artillery, commanded by 
 Captain Richard Arnold. Howard's brigade contained 
 three Maine regiments and one from Vermont. Two 
 divisions were held in reserve Runyon's, aggregating 
 about six thousand men, eight miles distant, and Miles's, 
 with a like number, at Centerville, three miles distant. 
 
 Pointing in the direction taken by the troops of the 
 flanking column, Herondine remarked to Furflew : 
 
 " We follow where these lead. The commanding gen- 
 eral will be found there, for to a certainty the row will be 
 settled near that point." 
 
 Furflew, shading his eyes with his hand so as to get a 
 clearer view of the situation, replied meditatively:
 
 222 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "Trick of the loop had its terrors, like everything 
 risky, but you bet it was a sight more comfortable than 
 this here job any way you take it." 
 
 The skirmishing near the stone bridge was participated 
 in by five companies from the First and Second Ohio 
 regiments, of Schenck's brigade, Northern troops, against 
 two companies of the Fourth South Carolina Volunteers 
 and one company of Wheat's special battalion, Southern 
 troops. After an hour's engagement it became apparent 
 to Evans, who directed the action on the Confederate 
 side, that the Federals did not intend to cross Bull Run 
 at that place, but merely instituted a feint so as to gain 
 time to execute a greater undertaking elsewhere. As he 
 could detect the columns on the opposite side of the 
 stream advancing to position, he consulted his superior 
 officer, Colonel P. St. George Cocke, commanding in his 
 immediate neighborhood, when it was determined to form 
 a new line of battle to oppose the incoming section of 
 McDowell's army. On this understanding Colonel Evans 
 withdrew his troops from the stone bridge, leaving four 
 companies to defend it, and pushed his command westward 
 across the valley of Young's Branch, a stream running into 
 Bull Run, and seized the high ground beyond as the most 
 suitable position to await the coming of the enemy, who 
 wheeled to the left at Sudley Ford, three miles above the 
 stone bridge, and marched directly to meet the foe. 
 
 Evans's new line consisted of six companies of Sloan's 
 Fourth South Carolina, Wheat's special battalion of Louis- 
 iana volunteers, Terry's squadron of cavalry, and David- 
 son's second section of Latham's battery of artillery, four 
 six-pounder guns, and a company of cavalry attached 
 the Campbell Rangers, commanded by Captain J. D.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 223 
 
 Alexander. The left of the line rested on the Sudley 
 road ; and the line itself extended through a small wood, 
 affording cover for the troops, and commanded a good 
 view of the open ground as well as the road along which 
 the Federals were approaching. The artillery supported 
 the right, and the cavalry the left. 
 
 Small as this front appeared, there was a large number 
 of troops available to reinforce it. During the previous 
 day and night Johnston's Army of the Shenandoah came 
 in, and its commander, General Joseph E. Johnston, 
 assumed command of the entire field, while General Beau- 
 regard superintended the battle. Johnston's troops con- 
 sisted of four brigades Jackson's, Bartow's, Bee's, and 
 Smith's five batteries of artillery, and Colonel J. E. B. 
 Stuart's command of cavalry. The whole of these troops 
 covered and supported Beauregard's left, Bee and Bartow 
 on high ground in view of Evans's line of battle, Jackson 
 near Longstreet at Blackburn's Ford, but ordered to the 
 left at an early hour. Smith's brigade came up in the 
 afternoon. Stuart's cavalry stood between Bonham's left 
 and Cocke's right ; Imboden's battery of artillery unlim- 
 bered about one hundred yards northeast of the Henry 
 house on a plateau overlooking the battlefield ; and the 
 Hampton Legion, six companies of infantry six hundred 
 strong commanded by Colonel Wade Hampton, stood in 
 the vicinity of the Lewis house to support any troops en- 
 gaged there. There were also some independent troops in 
 the same neighborhood. 
 
 All these troops could easily be reinforced by others 
 stationed along Beauregard's line on Bull Run. Cocke, 
 besides the five Virginia regiments of his brigade, was still 
 further supported by a battery of artillery and one company
 
 224 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 of Virginia cavalry. Bonham, at Mitchell's Ford, had a 
 full brigade of five regiments, one being North Carolina 
 and four South Carolina, supported by two batteries of 
 artillery and six companies of Virginia cavalry commanded 
 by Colonel Radford. Longstreet's brigade at Blackburn's 
 Ford contained three Virginia regiments and one North 
 Carolina, supported by two six-pounder brass guns from 
 Walton's battery. Jones's brigade, at McLean's Ford, 
 contained two Mississippi regiments and one South Caro- 
 lina, supported by two six-pounder guns and a company of 
 cavalry, and still further supported by Colonel J. A. 
 Early's brigade of four regiments two Virginia regi- 
 ments, one Louisiana, and one Mississippi besides three 
 rifled pieces of cannon commanded by Lieutenant Squires. 
 At Union Mills, E well's brigade contained two Alabama 
 regiments and one Louisiana, supported by four twelve- 
 pounder howitzers of Walton's battery and three companies 
 of Virginia cavalry. These troops were still further sup- 
 ported by the command of General T. H. Holmes, includ- 
 ing one Tennessee regiment, one Arkansas, and Walker's 
 battery of artillery. 
 
 The elevated position occupied by Evans while awaiting 
 the Federal advance was called the Matthew's hill. It was 
 here the battle began. 
 
 Burnside's brigade, being in the van of the Federal col- 
 umn, came into action single-handed about fifteen minutes 
 before ten o'clock, with the division commander, Hunter, 
 at its head, under whose orders the Second Rhode Island 
 Regiment, Slocum's, threw out skirmishers on the flanks 
 and in front. These gallant men, bristling with energy, 
 broke into view of the Confederate line of battle like 
 a party of pleasure seekers on a holiday, changing the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 225 
 
 quiet aspect of the landscape to one of intense interest. 
 They fired to clear the copse in front and received a fire in 
 return from Wheat's " Louisiana Tigers," also skirmishers. 
 The balance of the Rhode Island regiment^ advancing in 
 line of battle, supported by its battery of six guns, was met 
 by the companies of the South Carolina regiment under 
 cover of a thicket, who poured volleys of musketry into 
 their lines, to which were added grape shot from the how- 
 itzers near their position. In this action General Hunter 
 was wounded and carried from the field, as was also Major 
 Wheat, who commanded the Louisiana volunteers on the 
 Confederate side. 
 
 The Federals were driven back on the main body of the 
 brigade, which soon renewed the contest. Their advance 
 was checked, however, but they fought under cover of the 
 woods in front of Evans's line fully an hour, during which 
 time Porter's brigade came up to their assistance. 
 
 Gradually the limits of the battle widened, like the 
 increase in the velocity of a great storm. There were heard 
 the quick succession of infantry rifle discharges, or to- 
 gether, making one loud report; the ominous hum of 
 leaden bullets in the air, making even brave men tremble ; 
 the sonorous sounds of the heavy guns ; and occasion- 
 ally the cheers of some of the contestants, as if they 
 were engaged at a game of football. Detached clouds of 
 smoke arose from the field through the dust, dragging 
 themselves heavily across the irregular plain and filling 
 the gulches with their noisome presence. Men fell never 
 to pise ; comrade deserted comrade in the excitement of 
 the moment ; and friend was severed from friend to 
 share the honors of the battlefield with the living or the 
 dead.
 
 226 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 The Rhode Island battery of the Federals, first in action, 
 did very efficient service. The howitzers of the Seventy- 
 first New York rendered valuable assistance ; and Griffin's 
 celebrated battery, coming up at a gallop, soon became a 
 conspicuous object in the fight. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fine display of courage and endur- 
 ance exhibited by the Confederate front, Evans, its com- 
 mander, found it necessary to ask for reinforcements. His 
 request was made to General Bee, whose brigade, as here- 
 tofore stated, together with the brigade of Bartow, stood 
 on high ground some distance back of him. General Bee 
 recommended that Evans's command retreat to the line 
 occupied by him; but Evans, feeling he had gained a 
 decided success in his own position, was unwilling to order 
 a retreat. General Bee therefore led the two brigades 
 across the intervening ground and threw them into action 
 two Georgia regiments in Bartow's brigade and four 
 regiments (one Alabama, two Mississippi, and one North 
 Carolina), in General Bee's brigade. There were only 
 two companies in one of the Mississippi regiments. 
 
 These new troops lengthened the line of battle and gave 
 renewed hope to the Confederates; but on the Federal 
 side two of the brigades of Heintzelman's division, hurried 
 forward by special orders, met the new condition with 
 equal courage and equal hope. The third brigade, How- 
 ard's, had been assigned to duty by McDowell in the 
 morning on the other side of Bull Run. 
 
 When Franklin's brigade came up, Ricketts's battery went 
 into action with a vigor that carried terror to the enemy 
 and made for itself a record that will live long in history. 
 The united forces of the flanking brigades broke the Con- 
 federate line, which began slowly to retire across the vallry
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 227 
 
 of Young's Branch, when, as if to complete their discom- 
 fiture, the brigade of W. T. Sherman, afterwards the dis- 
 tinguished general, joined the Federal left and with its new 
 associate forces drove Evans's famous line with its reinforce- 
 ments and supports precipitately off the ground as if a 
 a thunderbolt had stricken it. 
 
 Sherman's brigade was composed of the Thirteenth, 
 Sixty-ninth, and Seventy-ninth New York, and the Second 
 Wisconsin, regiments, supported by Battery E of the Third 
 United States Artillery, under the command of Captain 
 R. B. Ayres. It was one of General Dan Tyler's divi- 
 sion, which was supposed to force the passage of the stone 
 bridge at a favorable period of the battle and join the 
 other forces of McDowell on the field. The three remain- 
 ing brigades of the division did not actively participate in 
 the fight. Richardson's watched the enemy in front of 
 Blackburn's Ford; Schenck's also guarded the position 
 held by it in the early morning ; Keyes's brigade followed 
 Sherman across Bull Run, but remained partly inactive 
 under cover of a bluff. 
 
 The retreat ot the Confederates caused a lull in the 
 battle. The Hampton Legion was thrown into action on 
 the Southern side, and partly saved the retreating troops 
 from panic although suffering severe losses on its own ac- 
 count. The ground over which the retreat was conducted 
 consisted of the valley of Young's Branch, then crossed the 
 Gainesville road, or Warrenton turnpike, in a southern di- 
 rection and came in upon a plateau similar to the one just 
 evacuated. This new position was picturesque. It was 
 dotted with clumps of trees, interesting glades, and long 
 stretches of open ground flanked by dense woods of pine 
 and oak.
 
 228 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 On the northeastern corner of this elevated ground stood 
 the Robinson house, the residence of a free colored man, 
 and about seven hundred yards to the southwest was the 
 home of Mrs. Judith Henry. The Warrenton turnpike ran in 
 front of the Robinson house; and the Sudley road, coming 
 from a northerly direction, crossed the Warrenton at right 
 angles and pursued its direction south in front of the Henry 
 house. Southeast by east of these houses was situated a dense 
 wood of pines, and it was here in this friendly shelter that 
 the new line of battle of the Confederates took shape. 
 
 The man who began the foundation of this line at a time 
 when the utmost confusion prevailed was cool and stern in 
 aspect. His words were heard above the uproar. Quick 
 in his movements, resolute in command, fearless in de- 
 meanor, every sign he executed was viewed with admiration 
 and confidence as if it possessed the power of a whirlwind. 
 In imitation of him his men fell into line and stood like 
 pillars of rock across a public highway. He said to those 
 who were retreating, " Form behind me. The enemy 
 won't pass here!" In explanation of the intrepidity of 
 this awe-inspiring soldier, his name went from mouth to 
 mouth. It was Stone"wall Jackson ! Even in that very 
 hour he received the sobriquet of "Stonewall." General 
 Bee, while rallying his troops behind the Robinson house, 
 cried out : " Look at Jackson's brigade. It stands there 
 like a stone wall ! " From the brigade the name reverted 
 to its commander. 
 
 Jackson's brigade contained five regiments of Virginians. 
 Like their commander they were soldiers of the first class. 
 On the present occasion their example was far-reaching in 
 its effects on the disorganized troops just then breaking 
 away from the front.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 229 
 
 Generals Johnston and Beauregard arrived on the scene 
 to witness these varying phases of war. Beauregard, with 
 characteristic foresight, directed the standards of the con- 
 fused regiments to be placed in position and then by a 
 united effort had the men rally upon them. This method 
 proved successful. Order was restored. The strengthen- 
 ing of the front was then resumed. Jackson's brigade was 
 the rallying point. The Seventh Georgia stood to the left 
 of it ; the Hampton Legion to the right. Two Virginia 
 regiments from Cocke's brigade took similar position, one 
 on the right, the other on the left. In a very short time 
 the available forces in this formation amounted to six thou- 
 sand five hundred men and thirteen pieces of artillery, with 
 large numbers under orders to join it or in motion for the 
 battlefield from distant points of Beauregard's lines. 
 
 On the other hand, the Federals advanced to the attack 
 with the brigades of Franklin, Wilcox, Sherman, and Por- 
 ter, Palmer's battalion of cavalry, and Ricketts's and Grif- 
 fin's batteries of artillery, in all estimated to contain about 
 eleven thousand men. Burnside's brigade retired to recu- 
 perate, with McDowell's permission. Although wearied from 
 long marching, having been under arms since midnight, 
 the troops came up to the front in gallant style, breaking 
 in over the plateau around its edge from the Robinson to 
 the Henry house, Griffin's and Ricketts's batteries taking 
 position near the latter and opening fire on the enemy 
 without delay. These batteries were supported by the 
 Eleventh New York Fire Zouaves and the Fourteenth Brook- 
 lyn, besides a squadron of the First United States Cavalry 
 under Captain Colburn. 
 
 The Confederate front was supported by five batteries of 
 artillery Imboden's, Stanard's, Walton's, Pendleton's,
 
 230 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 and Alburtes's whose fire raked the entire surface of the 
 battlefield, while the bullets from the rifles on both sides 
 filled the atmosphere with messengers of death. McDowell, 
 the Northern commander, viewed the action from the 
 Henry house, while Beauregard, his opponent, rode along 
 the Southern lines encouraging his troops to renewed acts 
 of bravery. The firing from right to left was continuous 
 for at least two hours, the Confederate left and the Federal 
 right suffering very heavily. 
 
 Beauregard further strengthened this position by addi- 
 tional troops, including the Second Mississippi and Stuart's 
 cavalry, two companies of which dashed through the New 
 York zouaves with a loss of five men. Then an incident 
 occurred which went far in deciding the fortunes of the day.- 
 
 Beauregard, fearing that any fresh troops coming to the 
 aid of the enemy would force his position, determined to 
 become the aggressor. He ordered his whole line to ad- 
 vance and drive the enemy off the plateau. Fisher's Sixth 
 North Carolina Regiment, advancing through the woods 
 on Griffin's right, had just come up, and with the other 
 troops on the Confederate left attacked the regiments 
 supporting the Griffin and Ricketts batteries, driving them 
 from their position into the valley beyond. Still Griffin 
 and Ricketts stood their ground, pouring on their enemies 
 shot, shell, and canister with the persistence of a hail- 
 storm. Even when their supports refused to return, these 
 gallant men were seen working their batteries without a 
 moment's intermission, grim with the smoke of battle and 
 feeling instinctively that the honor of the Federal cause 
 for that day, at least rested on their shoulders. Glory 
 to their memory ! They held it until overpowered by 
 numbers.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 231 
 
 The action of the Confederate left was very decisive. 
 It could easily be seen that the vigor characteristic of fresh 
 troops was there ; besides, these troops were afforded shelter 
 until coming quite near the Federal position. This en- 
 abled them to wholly disable the batteries. The cannon- 
 eers were killed, the horses disabled, and the firing silenced. 
 Captain Ricketts lay on the field severely wounded, and 
 was soon made prisoner ; Lieutenant Ramsey, of his bat- 
 tery, was killed ; and a .few escaped. The Confederates 
 rushed forward and captured the guns. It then became 
 apparent that the Federals would lose the battle. 
 
 It was about this time, when great confusion prevailed 
 on the Federal side in the vicinity of the action just 
 related, when aids-de-camp had been completely exhausted 
 on account of field service and could no longer be found 
 in their regular places, that two troopers crossed the valley 
 on the north side of the bluff occupied by the Union army, 
 directing their course toward a group of general officers, 
 among whom was McDowell. The troopers in question 
 appeared fresh, and thus invited attention as being capable 
 of affording relief in the present emergency, small as it 
 might be reckoned. The foremost of these men, alighting 
 in front of the commanding officer, revealed the nature of 
 his mission in a few rapid words. He had come to offer 
 his services at a critical moment. He was an emergency 
 aid of the secret service Herondine. McDowell, recog- 
 nizing the importance of the provision here tendered him, 
 wrote a dispatch on the leaf of a notebook, and, handing 
 it to Herondine, instructed him how to proceed so as to 
 secure its delivery. It was an order for some of the troops 
 on the other side of Bull Run to move up without delay. 
 Mounting his horse and making a motion to his attendant,
 
 232 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 who was no other than Furflew, to follow him, he dashed 
 off at mad speed, exciting the admiration of those present 
 by the ease with which he held his seat and the swiftness of 
 his career. There was no doubt now as to the certainty of 
 his future fame or the character of his patriotism. He was 
 now as much in line of danger as a regiment in front of 
 the enemy. 
 
 The route he pursued inclined northeast by east a 
 dangerous one, because the Confederates were close upon 
 it, some of them having pushed beyond their original lines 
 so as to prevent counter movements of their enemy. He 
 had traveled fully half an hour outside the Federal lines 
 and was beginning to imagine he would reach his destina- 
 tion without accident, when he rode into a strip of open 
 ground surrounded by a wood. When about halfway 
 across this glade he turned in his saddle in order to ascer- 
 tain how Furflew was progressing ; but instead of detecting 
 the presence of his attendant he saw five or six men sud- 
 denly emerge from the wood and level their pieces at him, 
 and the next instant he found himself rolling in the dust 
 and his horse struggling beside him as if in the throes of 
 death. Before he could regain his feet, the men were upon 
 him ; and one of them, presenting a pistol to his breast, 
 cried out hoarsely : 
 
 " Surrender, or you're a dead man ! " 
 
 Then they proceeded to search him without much cere- 
 mony ; and, finding the dispatch, which had been con- 
 cealed in his watch, appeared to regard 'the capture and 
 discovery as something of great importance, for the missive 
 was carried immediately to some person on the edge of the 
 wood, awaiting developments, who appeared to be in 
 command of the party.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 233 
 
 This character proved to be a repulsive-looking man, 
 with heavy features, large body, one shoulder being higher 
 than its fellow; and was mounted on a splendid-looking 
 horse. As the message taken from Herondine was handed 
 to him, he exclaimed : 
 
 " Another carrier pigeon caught ! Good luck ! Three 
 today." 
 
 It appeared evident this party of Confederates, for such 
 the men proved to be, had been detailed for the special 
 duty of apprehending couriers bearing dispatches, so as to 
 prevent the orders of the commanding general from 
 reaching their destination, and therefore proving ineffect- 
 ive. Such contemptible methods always accompany war 
 and are accounted legitimate. 
 
 One of the men, approaching the leader, said in an under- 
 tone : 
 
 " Come and see our prisoner ; he's a fancy duck." 
 
 At this the horseman galloped forward saying, " I knew 
 him a mile off," and in a few moments confronted Heron- 
 dine, who, unhurt, was standing near his dead horse with 
 his arms shackled behind his back. 
 
 From the look of commisseration which the features of 
 Herondine bore for the noble animal that had carried him 
 so faithfully during his recent career, there appeared, on 
 viewing the stranger, one of dark scorn and defiance such 
 as might be judged incompatible with his character as 
 already known to the reader. On the other hand, it was 
 observed that the natural scowl on the horseman's face 
 brightened up with a species of savage joy on beholding 
 Herondine, and he would have laughed in derision at his 
 predicament had not some powerful emotion stopped him. 
 Nay, he went still further : twice he drew his pistol from
 
 234 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 its belt as if about to shoot Herondine, but as often did he 
 return it to its case, deterred from the execution of the 
 first impulse by some plan designed to bring about a future 
 result more in harmony with his desires. 
 
 As for Herondine, all the strength of his manhood was 
 required to sustain him in this dark hour; for it was not 
 alone that he felt the danger and hardship of being a pris- 
 oner in the hands of the Confederates, but he -saw he was 
 at last at the mercy of his worst enemy here in command 
 Danderton Hitch ! 
 
 After recognition, Danderton did not remain in the 
 presence of Herondine. He turned and rode to his orig- 
 inal position in the wood, from which point he issued his 
 orders. In regard to Herondine these were of the most 
 exacting kind. He said to the men of the party : 
 
 " Bind his shackles. Run a chain from the hands to the 
 
 feet. Mind, he must not escape. By h ! the man 
 
 who lets him off will die by my hand as soon as I come up 
 with him. I'll take no excuses. If he attempts to run, 
 shoot him. If he becomes violent, use your sword-knives. 
 Should he be abusive, knock him over with a club." 
 
 Danderton further instructed them to prepare for a move- 
 ment to the rear of the Confederate army and afterward 
 home to Richmond, where the necessities of the service 
 required their presence. He would communicate with his 
 chief in the field and join them on the journey. In a few 
 minutes after these orders had been given, the entire party 
 was in motion, Herondine having been accommodated with 
 a seat in a baggage wagon closely guarded by two men. 
 In this situation his thoughts reverted to home first and 
 afterward to the uncertainties of his profession ; for he had 
 no doubt his usefulness, from a Northern standpoint, was
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 235 
 
 now at an end, and, judging from the character of his ene- 
 my, his life was also in danger. 
 
 As the cumbersome conveyance rolled over the uneven 
 trail, he could yet hear the ominous sounds peculiar to the 
 battlefield and the united roar of wagons in motion arising 
 from the plain like the moaning of the sea or the passage 
 of a great storm through the atmosphere. Later, while a 
 troop of cavalry was dashing past them, Herondine heard 
 the following inquiry and reply : 
 
 "How is it?" 
 
 "We've whipped 'em." 
 
 Then he knew his party had been defeated and anything 
 like the capture of Washington or the permanent establish- 
 ment of the Confederacy might transpire in short order. 
 From these considerations, it may be inferred, his thoughts 
 grew troubled as the shades of evening approached ; and if 
 he did not afterwards sleep, it was because they became as 
 deep and profound as the surrounding night. 
 
 But to return to other incidents of that fatal day. Fur- 
 flew had labored hard to follow Herondine, as he was not 
 a first-class rider and possessed little of the bold spirit 
 which animated the breast of his chief. At the time when 
 the latter disappeared in the wood Furflew was fully half a 
 mile behind. Then he heard the rattle of the shooting 
 which unhorsed Herondine, and saw the blue smoke arise 
 above the trees. Suspecting the presence of an ambuscade, 
 he slackened the pace of his horse and approached the 
 opening in the wood cautiously. What he witnessed con- 
 firmed his worst fears. Herondine was there bound in 
 chains, his horse dead, and his career ended. Nay, before 
 he could recover from his surprise, the dust caused by the 
 departure of the party obscured the clear atmosphere of
 
 236 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 the place, and in another instant all had disappeared. 
 Furflew, in order to exhibit a commendable courage in a 
 trying emergency, raised the carbine at his side as if about 
 to fire, but desisted, as there was no enemy in sight. In- 
 deed, he believed it prudent to keep quiet on the occasion, 
 lest he might draw the Confederates after him, for he had 
 turned his charger round and was retreating in good order. 
 He reasoned with himself it would be wiser to report the 
 facts of Herondine's capture to his friends than any good 
 he could afford him by following up and exposing himself 
 to death or sharing his fate. 
 
 Meanwhile the struggle on the battlefield was tremen- 
 dous. The onslaught of the Confederates heretofore re- 
 lated drove the Federals off the plateau, while to regain 
 this lost ground seemed to be the principal object of the 
 latter during the last hours of the fight. Up from the val- 
 ley and the depression of the Sudley road over the margin 
 of the piece of tableland which held their enemies, Mc- 
 Dowell's army charged repeatedly. In platoons, by sec- 
 tions, in companies, or battalions, regiments, and brigades, 
 they rushed up before the Confederate batteries only to be 
 driven back in confusion. They were obliged to fight with 
 small arms on the run against a regular line of battle, with 
 all its accessories, designed to withstand a charge of horse 
 or foot. 
 
 There was no further flank movement, no artillery line 
 to fall back on, no protected ground where they might 
 rest during the night and renew the fight in the morning, 
 and, finally, no concerted movement, resulting, of course, 
 from continued defeat. Single regiments of brave men 
 attempted to perform the work of a division, many of them 
 yielding up their lives freely on the score of patriotism, yet
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 237 
 
 knowing their action would not accomplish what was 
 expected of it. The position lost on the Henry hill was 
 retaken several times, but had to be given up on account 
 of the splendid management of the Confederate troops. 
 
 Near the close of the battle Howard's brigade came in 
 on the double-quick. McDowell, seeing it, collected his 
 available troops, and with the newly-arrived reinforcements 
 crossed the bluff, forced back the Confederates beyond the 
 Henry and Robinson houses, and reoccupied the position 
 held by his batteries earlier in the day ; but where were the 
 cannoneers, the guns, the horses, and the brave officers 
 who had directed them ? Dead, overturned, or in the 
 hands of the enemy ! 
 
 Beauregard observed the movement. He knew how suc- 
 cessful he had been in the first assault he had made with his 
 troops across the surface of the plateau. Fresh troops, 
 hurried up by Johnston, now reminded him he could make 
 a final one. General Kirby Smith's brigade, seventeen 
 hundred strong, was directed by General Johnston to 
 Beauregard's left. While marching to position, Smith fell 
 severely wounded, his place being filled by Colonel Elzey. 
 These new troops, together with the whole Confederate 
 line, were ordered to move forward in one wild charge, and 
 every factor and implement of war went down before them 
 like grass in the face of a mower. The Federal army re- 
 tired on Washington, the Confederates remaining masters 
 of the field. 
 
 Furflew was but a short time separated from Herondine 
 when he encountered a vast crowd of people moving in 
 one direction, towards the national capital civilians in 
 vehicles and on foot, soldiers with and without arms, am- 
 bulances carrying the wounded, teamsters urging their
 
 238 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 horses or mules to their full speed, horsemen dashing across 
 every conceivable obstruction in their anxiety to get under 
 cover or out of reach of the enemy, for it was generally 
 believed that the Confederate cavalry would come up at 
 any moment and cut down every person in sight. To add 
 discomfort to this distressing situation, the sky darkened 
 and later it began to rain; and the variety of patriotic 
 enthusiasm which a few hours before had animated the 
 minds of thousands of good men now lay dead at the feet 
 of hardship, disgust, and weariness. 
 
 Furflew, learning that the Federal army was on the 
 retreat, wheeled his horse into line and remarked to him- 
 self how advantageous ventriloquism was compared with 
 army life. Then, striking into a group of stragglers, he 
 debated questions pertaining to the recent battle on his 
 way home. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 SAFE UNDER FIRE. 
 
 BESIDES what has been already related, it may be said 
 that crowds of civilians sought prominent points 
 overlooking the battlefield of Bull Run, eager to catch a 
 glimpse of the action. On the Northern side the congre- 
 gation appeared very conspicuous, whereas, on the other, 
 the Southerners did not make so large a display. Some 
 regarded the occasion as suitable for enjoyment in the 
 manner that people are induced to attend a prize fight ; 
 others were imbued with a laudable concern for the main 
 issue between the contending parties ; while a large num- 
 ber became interested on account of the impending danger
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE, 239 
 
 to their friends in the ranks of the armies. Two men were 
 there, however, who seemed to have no well-defined pur- 
 pose at heart for the event. They had been attracted to 
 it by some unaccountable force such as controls persons 
 when they heedlessly follow the bent of their inclinations 
 on the expectation of reaping a rich reward of pleasure or 
 profit. 
 
 The two men in question came from the south, pursuing 
 a northwesterly direction with the evident intention of 
 keeping the battlefield well to the right. Although simi- 
 larly and tastefully dressed there was a wide difference in 
 their appearance as individuals as well as in their social 
 status. One was the owner of the carriage and spanking 
 pair of horses which furnished them transportation, while 
 the other held the reins like a coachman. On a closer 
 scrutiny it was plain their identity could not be mistaken, 
 for the volubility of the elder man and the easy self-con- 
 fidence of his companion revealed them to be acquaint- 
 ances of the reader ; namely, Saracen Gay and his servant 
 Flappins. The progress of the war having detracted pat- 
 ronage from their favorite pursuit, hypnotism, Flappins 
 believed they could find amusement of some kind near the 
 position of the army, either while witnessing the forward 
 march or retreat of troops, the movement of supply trains, 
 or the variety and grotesque appearance of camp followers 
 speculating on some imaginary gain. 
 
 As a precautionary measure, Saracen Gay had sought 
 and obtained information from reliable sources in regard 
 to the conduct of the expected battle at Bull Run. He 
 was assured the Confederates would take the initiative and 
 constitute the attacking party; that the assault would be 
 made on the right, and therefore he would be perfectly
 
 240 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 safe to travel and bivouac on the left of the lines, which 
 would be quite a distance from the scene of the principal 
 action. Conceive his astonishment, however, and that of 
 Flappins, when, on the morning of the battle, they found 
 themselves actually in the center of the space bounded 
 by both armies. There was ample time for observation. 
 They had come up on a well-appointed public road the 
 evening before ; and, as the weather was warm and pleas- 
 ant, Saracen Gay directed Flappins to turn the horses to 
 the right into a pleasant pasture, where they could be 
 secured for the night, while the two men would sleep in the 
 carriage adroitly arranged so as to be comfortable. 
 
 In the morning they heard the roar of the cannon in 
 the neighborhood of the stone bridge and chuckled with 
 delight at the security of their position, Flappins in the 
 meantime getting the vehicle ready for further movement. 
 Then he drove his companion to a house which could be 
 seen about half a mile distant, so as to partake of a com- 
 fortable breakfast. Here they were entertained sumptu- 
 ously, notwithstanding that it was a farmhouse and the lady 
 owner of it an invalid. Saracen Gay delighted his auditors 
 with sketches of his life amusing stories of incidents in 
 which he participated and dilated boastfully of his 
 accomplishments and the prowess of his faithful attendant. 
 
 The morning hours quickly sped away. It must have 
 been after nine o'clock when Flappins appeared at the 
 door returning from the horses, which he had gone to see 
 some time previously. His face was pale and his limbs 
 trembled, although, as everybody knew, he was a man full 
 of courage and energy. Making a hook with his fore- 
 finger, he beckoned Saracen Gay to follow him. In the 
 vicinity of the house there was a knoll from which a viev
 
 THE FIRST DECREE. 241 
 
 of the surrounding country could be obtained. Here the 
 two men halted and stood transfixed at what they saw. 
 Everywhere around at the distance of a few miles, more or 
 less, appeared long lines of troops apparently in motion 
 coming towards the place where they were standing. 
 From the north, south, east, and west they seemed intent 
 on closing into one great circular line from which there 
 could be no escape. Rudely and erroneously as the 
 two companions had been accustomed to conduct investi- 
 gations, still intuitively they measured the distances in the 
 perspective with the keenness of vision of connoisseurs. 
 The prospect was inexplicable and terrific. They would 
 be absorbed hopelessly, if not fatally, by the least touch of 
 this crowd, for in their own explicit language they did not 
 know which was which Union or Confederate. Nay, 
 when firing began, as it would very soon, all those in the 
 line of fire must fall. It might commence at any moment; 
 hence Flappins's anxiety and fear of consequences which 
 would involve both his living and his life, for the career 
 of Saracen Gay would come to an end as well as his own. 
 After concluding a survey of his surroundings " the poor 
 man of Christendom " said, with wonder depicted on his 
 countenance : 
 
 " Ris, what brought us here, anyway?" 
 
 "The smell of a good breakfast," answered Flappins, 
 promptly; "but," he continued, "that ain't out of it. 
 We came here to escape being caught, and now we're caught 
 without escape, whether we like it or not.'' 
 
 "Ris," resumed Saracen Gay, "can you explain this 
 rather fearful situation to me without being tedious. Really, 
 I do not understand. We must have lost our reckoning 
 and struck the right instead of left. I'm mystified, if not
 
 242 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 altogether confounded, by the turn things are taking. 
 What is in the wind, Ris? Are we the victims of a 
 mirage?" 
 
 Flappins smiled faintly as he volunteered an answer to 
 one of these questions. 
 
 " Saracen, there's death in the wind, and don't you for- 
 get it." 
 
 Then Saracen Gay grew pettish. The serious and threat- 
 ening appearance of the prospect annihilated the mirthful 
 disposition within him, and he appealed to Flappins pite- 
 ously, moving close to the man as if, like a child seeking 
 protection, he had been terrorized beyond endurance. 
 
 " You can do it, Ris," he said. " You won't let them 
 touch me. I was always safe in your company. Won't 
 you save me now? Won't you, Ris?" 
 
 Flappins felt the weight of responsibility pressing upon 
 him at that moment more than ever before as he replied : 
 
 "Oh, of course, Saracen, I could cut my way through 
 the ranks like this," and he swung his arms in the air as a 
 person using a sword, "while you might easily follow in 
 the opening; but I'm afraid they'd grab you before you got 
 through : so we'll get a safer plan." 
 
 Saying this, Flappins hastily returned to the house and 
 informed the family of the situation on the outside. He 
 made a suggestion, also, which, in the absence of anything 
 better, was concurred in by those present, there being little 
 time to spend in debate. This was what Flappins recom- 
 mended : the invalid lady, with the two other inmates of the 
 house a boy of eighteen and a middle-aged woman 
 to take the carriage down through the adjacent valley and 
 seek good shelter in a ravine at the end of it, where large 
 trees formed both shade and protection, while Saracen Gay
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 243 
 
 and himself would go into the little brick cellar under the 
 kitchen of the house, remaining concealed there until the 
 battle ended. 
 
 "Mind you," continued Flappins, raising his finger to 
 direct attention to the importance of the proposed arrange- 
 ment, " if we didn't come here you never could have lit 
 on such an outfit. The team is the best in the country by 
 long odds, not to speak of the carriage ; so jump in and 
 get out." 
 
 As quickly as the occasion admitted, the women took 
 seats in the carriage, and the boy, mounting the box seat, 
 drove off; while Saracen Gay and Flappins descended into 
 the little cellar, securing the entrance above them, a trap- 
 door, to prevent intrusion. 
 
 " I think," remarked the man to Saracen Gay, when safe 
 within the cellar walls, " I have made a purty fair deal this 
 time. You see I had to throw the turnout in to secure the 
 cellar for ourselves. We're poor; but we can stand the 
 loss, can't we?" 
 
 " Better than most people," answered Saracen Gay. 
 
 "I thought it much more profitable to save your life 
 than carry your dead body home," rejoined Flappins, for- 
 getting that this form of expression exhibited his selfish- 
 ness instead of real friendship for his employer. 
 
 "You are truly wonderful," returned Saracen Gay pleas- 
 antly, not noticing the significance of the sentence; " but 
 it is like you," he continued, "always doing something 
 more than other men in fact, surprising the world by 
 your genius." 
 
 " Now, Saracen," resumed Flappins, " the beauty of the 
 trade is this : the people in the carriage may get the fire 
 from the guns into 'em, or dropped onto 'em, as the case
 
 244 LV THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 may be, whereas we'll be under the fire, but never get hurt 
 because we're in the ground." 
 
 " Ris, you're a rare un," said Saracen Gay, laughing 
 hysterically ; for the evident security which the little place 
 afforded him, backed by the man's assurances, began to 
 revive his drooping spirits. A short time afterwards the 
 real battle began. 
 
 Seated on a rude bench in the underground apartment 
 heretofore described, with little gleams of light descending 
 through the interstices of the trapdoor, Saracen Gay and 
 Flappins listened intently to the multitudes of sounds com- 
 posing the uproar in the vicinity of their hiding place dur- 
 ing the action of that memorable day. 
 
 The infantry and artillery firing during the forenoon 
 seemed interminable. The rattle, the boom, the crash, the 
 explosion, intermingled with minor sounds, produced an 
 awful combination, such as is not even heard coming from 
 natural phenomena. To the listener's mind it appeared as 
 if a planet had burst in the heavens and the fragments were 
 carrying death and destruction to the earth In support of 
 this idea, the winds wafted to their ears the shouts of deri- 
 sion and exultation of the contending parties, the hoarse, 
 unintelligible words of command, and the groans of the 
 wounded and the dying. 
 
 After hours spent in listening to this dreadful play, the 
 sources of terror changed to something even more terrible. 
 The earth trembled with the tread of bodies of men, 
 troops of horses, and artillery wagons, all moving to some 
 other objective point. Soon it became apparent that the 
 combatants were coming nearer; for footsteps were heard 
 on the floors of the house above, and the belching of can- 
 non made the walls of the cellar shake as if they were
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 245 
 
 about to fall in and crush the occupants to death. During 
 this trying time the men scarcely breathed. Flappins held 
 Saracen Gay round the body with his strong arm to pre- 
 vent nervous shock, although both were worked up to the 
 highest point of nervousness on account of the uproar. 
 They could hear bullets pierce the walls of the house, the 
 crash of breaking glass, shells bursting in the air or on the 
 roof, and men falling on the earth near the trapdoor never 
 to rise. 
 
 It appeared singular that prearranged calculations such 
 as Saracen Gay and Flappins had been accustomed to 
 make should turn suddenly into dire calamity. Even in 
 this manner did the men reflect ; and Flappins especially 
 thought that, after all, the people who accepted the car- 
 riage and horses had the better share of protection, but 
 dare not mention it to his companion, as it would reflect 
 against the character of his own judgment. 
 
 Several times during the day it was believed the last 
 moment of their lives had come, so fearfully did the com- 
 motion increase, and the men would groan simultaneously 
 as if each had received his deathblow; yet they lived 
 through the siege unhurt, notwithstanding the insignifi- 
 cance of the earthworks behind which they were concealed. 
 It may be said also that during most of the time here 
 referred to Saracen Gay was powerless to move. He lay 
 a helpless mass in the arms of Flappins, unable even to 
 articulate words and only exhibiting signs of life by his 
 quick breathing and an occasional pressure of his hand on 
 Flappins's arm whenever a more than ordinary strife was 
 heard above. 
 
 Relief from this unenviable condition was slow in com- 
 ing, but it finally came. About four o'clock in the after-
 
 246 JN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 noon the heavy firing ceased. The lesser sounds of battle 
 seemed to be moving into the distance ; the heavy marching 
 of men and bumping of the earth's surface from disabled 
 wagons were slowly drawn off; and it appeared certain to 
 the minds of Saracen Gay and his attendant that the battle 
 was over. Still, they moved not for fully half an hour 
 after the noises they had been listening to had ceased 
 altogether. No sensation or pleasure ever came to them 
 with half the satisfaction of that rest, silence being on 
 one side and security on the other. It was as if they had 
 been carried on the wings of birds into dreamland for the 
 enjoyment of the unattainable on earth. Flappins, making 
 a great show of courage, disengaged himself from the grasp 
 of his companion as he said : 
 
 "I'll revive you, Saracen. I ain't afraid any more than 
 I would be of a scarecrow in grandpa's cornfield. See 
 here!" and throwing the trapdoor upwards and back- 
 wards, he stood proudly before his employer in the light of 
 the evening, the fresh air also coming plentifully through 
 the aperture just made. 
 
 Saracen Gay looked at Flappins as one would view a 
 magician. He did not speak, but the man knew if he had 
 spoken he would have said : "What wonderful courage 
 you have, Ris, and with such odds against you, too ! It ig 
 truly astonishing." 
 
 Flappins raised his finger playfully to indicate confine- 
 ment to Saracen Gay's present position of rest ; while he, 
 with the boldness peculiar to him, mounted the steps and 
 disappeared on a tour of inspection, as well as to forage for 
 something to eat. 
 
 After an absence of ten or twelve minutes, the person- 
 ality of Risbon Flappins appeared transformed in a won-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 247 
 
 derful manner. His limbs trembled, the articles he held 
 in his hands jostled against each other as if he had been 
 stricken with palsy, and his face seemed elongated and 
 ghostly. Bending over Saracen Gay, Flappins, without 
 speaking, began to apply the contents of a bottle to the 
 sick man's hands, face, and feet. Then he gave him a 
 drink from the same receptacle, saying in a low voice : 
 
 " Saracen, what's good for the outside is equally so for 
 the inside. This wine will benefit both places." 
 
 He also raised the bottle to his own lips, remarking 
 in an undertone as if reasoning with himself: " My sakes ! 
 there ain't no use in thinking of Good Templars' pledges 
 here, and don't you forget it." 
 
 When Flappins' s treatment of Saracen Gay had the 
 effect of restoring that gentleman to full consciousness and 
 vigor, when the slanting rays of the sun had disappeared 
 from the battlefield and the two armies had come apart 
 leaving many a hero in the dust with his name and his 
 fame soon to be buried with his remains, and when the 
 beautiful twilight came down from the heavens like an 
 angel on outspread wings, the men emerged from their 
 hiding place and began an examination of the prospect 
 before them. They stood a little while hand in hand like 
 children. What was stern or combative in their natures 
 had been subdued by the terrors imposed on their presence 
 by the agents of the battle. It was not so much that their 
 spirits had been whipped by mysterious powers as that their 
 souls had been overshadowed by awe in the midst of phe- 
 nomena whose existence was regarded heretofore by them 
 as fabulous. 
 
 Flappins by a slight inclination forward induced Saracen 
 Gay to follow. He led him into the house where in the
 
 248 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 morning they had breakfasted with so much satisfaction. 
 What a change was here ! It appeared as if the section of 
 a cyclone had passed through it, rending the walls so as to 
 exhibit great, jagged apertures in the sides and through 
 the roof, twisting the studding out of shape, and splinter- 
 ing the weatherboards into kindling wood. The glass of 
 the windows was piled in fragments on the floor, some of 
 them having been carried onto the breakfast table, into 
 the pantry, and over the counterpanes of the beds, as if the 
 design of the bullets and the bursting shells had been to 
 scatter glass over every available nook and corner of the 
 house. Flappins, feeling the obligation resting upon him 
 of guiding his party through the present difficulties in a 
 very limited time, seeing Saracen Gay completely absorbed 
 in the contemplation of this fearful wreck, touched him 
 lightly on the shoulder, and, pointing to an inner room, said : 
 
 " Look, Saracen ! " 
 
 The man addressed turned his gaze in the direction 
 indicated, and lo ! there lay on one of the rude beds the 
 dead body of a woman covered by a winding sheet, the 
 features being attenuated and somewhat contorted, but the 
 eyelids stood open as if to induce the orbs of vision to view 
 yet a little while longer the terrors imposed by man in 
 conjunction or in contrast with the beneficence of God. 
 On approaching the couch the men were startled on recog- 
 nizing the invalid lady who had entertained them in the 
 morning; and Saracen Gay, forgetful of that sympathy which 
 human kind occasionally bestows on its benefactors, said 
 irreverently : 
 
 " O Ris ! bless my heart ! where is the carriage ? " 
 
 " And the horses?" promptly answered Flappins " the 
 gayest team from here to themselves."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 249 
 
 "I cannot imagine what has happened," continued Sar- 
 acen Gay. " Did this dead person ever leave here, or was 
 it that she simply died in her bed like everybody else, as 
 was natural for her to do? " 
 
 " It puzzles me just to know the ins and outs of it," re- 
 plied the man, " but it's a sure thing that she left on time, 
 because I shoved her into the carriage myself and saw them 
 drive her down the slope." After some reflection he con- 
 tinued, raising his finger before the face of Saracen Gay : 
 " I'll bet a bit they found it too hot for her in the gulch 
 and tried to run her back, but got left. Didn't we do 
 well, though, to make the trade? I knew they'd catch 
 thunder in that quarter, but, of course, couldn't give the 
 thing away, as I had to look out for number one." 
 
 In such ungenerous words as these did Flappins dilate on 
 his contract with the deceased lady whereby he secured the 
 cellar for the protection of himself and Saracen Gay in 
 exchange for the use of the carriage and horses which car- 
 ried her to destruction. 
 
 Turning quickly from the scene, whose melancholy 
 phases began to operate in a distressing manner on the 
 mind of "the poor man of Christendom," Flappins led 
 the way out of the house to a prospect still more appalling. 
 It was in the first twilight that came over the battlefield, 
 before the hospital corps of either party had come to carry 
 off the wounded or any change had been instituted in the 
 place as abandoned by the powers of war. The clouds of 
 smoke and dust enveloping the retreating army could yet 
 be seen in the distance, as well as those pursuing the vic- 
 torious one, whose weary soldiers fell back to their camp- 
 ing grounds to recuperate from the fatigues of the day, 
 excepting some bodies of cavalry under orders to harass
 
 250 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 the stragglers of the enemy. The silence peculiar to night 
 was steadily approaching, resembling the cessation of a 
 thunderstorm. All above the field proper there was calm- 
 ness, but on the semicircular horizon towards the north 
 there were heard sounds at intervals like signal guns or the 
 firing of a battery in honor of a president. These, it may 
 be said, emanated from the brigades of infantry covering 
 the Federal retreat, and gradually grew less as the Union 
 soldiers moved away. 
 
 In the vicinity of the house just abandoned the dead 
 and wounded were as numerous on the ground, apparently, 
 as the first fall of autumn leaves when rustled by the vigor- 
 ous wind of October. As far as the eye could reach in the 
 imperfect light of that hour, the bodies of the slain were 
 scattered in an indiscriminate manner, showing the harsh 
 and unnatural design of the convulsion which instituted 
 this state of things. Over the field at intermediate points 
 could be seen the limbs of disabled cannon projecting into 
 the air; dead horses sharing the fate of their riders; guns, 
 sabers, pistols, bayonets, accouterments, and provisions 
 strewn about in large quantities; and dark, irregularly 
 shaped ruts where cannon balls or bursting shells had torn 
 into the surface of the earth. Columns of black smoke 
 struggled to rise and diffuse themselves through the heavy 
 atmosphere, but remained visible like huge human shapes 
 conjured up by unseen powers to mourn over the dead, giv- 
 ing, not only a hideous appearance to the plain, but stirring 
 up a sulphurous odor, suggesting to the mind of the ob- 
 server that their home was of the nature of the bottomless 
 pit. 
 
 Flappins, finding that with the deepening twilight there 
 came also signs of rain, bestirred himself in his search for
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 251 
 
 the carriage. He concluded it could not be far from the 
 house if the parties concerned about it in the morning had 
 returned with the invalid lady, as was certain from what he 
 had seen within. This idea proved correct, for in a gulch 
 at the back of the garden he discovered the much desired 
 conveyance. It was in a dilapidated condition, however, 
 having been ditched in a systematic way, with one of the 
 large wheels broken, the body perforated with bullets, the 
 covering torn to shreds, and the varnish cracked, splintered, 
 and in some places altogether worn off. As a whole, the 
 vehicle could scarcely be recognized, being gray with dust ; 
 and the horses had disappeared. This was a poor prospect 
 for escape from the terrors of the night, but Flappins was 
 equal to the occasion. He procured a strong lever, and 
 with the assistance of Saracen Gay righted the carriage. 
 
 "You have often heard," said he, "about the incon- 
 venience of the fifth wheel of a wagon ; but I'm going to 
 show you, Saracen, that it's worth betting on this time, and 
 don't you forget it. One of these wheels I see lying 
 around here will fit the carriage to a dot ; so, when I get 
 her in, we can move." 
 
 " Nothing can beat you, Ris," said Saracen Gay confi- 
 dently. " I verily believe you can move the carriage with- 
 out horses, like a giant." 
 
 Flappins appeared concerned at this remark, as it could 
 be seen that there was neither a horse in sight nor a hope 
 of procuring one, for every animal of the kind had long 
 since been confiscated or pressed into service by army men ; 
 yet he answered good-humoredly : 
 
 " Never you mind, Saracen ; if I don't send that carriage 
 scooting into the road before daylight, just as if a cannon 
 had struck her in the rear end, call me Jack Robinson."
 
 252 LV THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Then he intimated to Saracen Gay that he should take 
 a seat in the vehicle and make himself comfortable, while 
 he, Flappins, would go into the darkness and procure the 
 promised aid. By this time the wheel had been adjusted to 
 the carriage, and, although heavier than the original, 
 seemed to answer very well. At first " the poor man of 
 Christendom" dissented vigorously from this plan, but 
 under the persuasive reasoning of Flappins he finally con- 
 sented to it. It seemed a terrible fate to be abandoned on 
 the battlefield with the dead and dying, rooted practically 
 to one spot ; but Saracen Gay reflected that Flappins had 
 never failed in any past enterprise, nor would he, in his 
 belief, in future or in the present emergency. Besides, the 
 man's language, always boastful, inspired confidence. 
 
 " I know where to find things, Saracen," he said. 
 " Recollect what a trade I made with the " 
 
 He did not finish the sentence, but, pointing with his 
 thumb over his shoulder, referred to the invalid lady here- 
 tofore mentioned, now dead within the house. Then 
 Flappins disappeared in the darkness. 
 
 Saracen Gay looked out upon the night with a more 
 concentrated vision in search of objects than he had ever 
 previously used. The darkness had grown thick and 
 murky, owing to the obscuration of the sky by rain clouds. 
 The forms he had seen in daylight were no longer visible ; 
 but in his mind they had become enlarged until they 
 assumed immense proportions, and with them appeared to 
 the fanciful imagination others having no real existence. 
 He thought he saw huge shadows moving over the field 
 with implements of war in their hands as if in search of 
 something, and it was easy to conceive that perhaps they 
 were looking for him ! At this he trembled, gathered him-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 253 
 
 self closely into a corner of the carriage, and listened for 
 the return of Flappins, now an hour or more absent. 
 
 Instead of being greeted by the welcome sounds of his 
 voice, however, he heard others that rather increased his 
 trepidation. At first they had been confined to the vicin- 
 ity of the place where he was located, but as the silence of 
 the night deepened and he listened more intently than 
 heretofore, they arose at intervals from point to point until 
 the entire district as well as the atmosphere above it 
 seemed involved. To him, who was no interpreter of signs 
 or sounds, these latter passed unnoticed in the beginning 
 of his watch ; but their persistence at length roused him to 
 the reality of that from which they proceeded. When the 
 truth flashed upon his thoughts, he was horror-stricken. 
 These disturbances in the night were the groans of the 
 wounded, whose activity while in health and vigor had 
 been neutralized by the accidents of war, and now, maimed 
 and helpless, lay under the inclemency of the weather like 
 sheep without a shepherd, abandoned to the storm on the 
 bleak mountain side. 
 
 When the full extent of the disaster here indicated came 
 to the mind of Saracen Gay, he wept. Nay, more ; he 
 began to reason for himself, and came to tolerably correct 
 conclusions under the necessities of the situation. Besides, 
 there was another change in the scene. Flickering lights 
 appeared in several places. These evidently were lanterns 
 carried by men searching for soldiers not yet dead relief 
 corps come to carry the wounded to the hospitals. 
 
 " Is this all ? " he asked mentally, as he peered into the 
 gloom, still suspicious of danger or difficulty. 
 
 "No." The answer came from the infinite as if the 
 dark depths of the void understood his question, although
 
 254 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 delivered in secret to himself, and vouchsafed a reply such 
 as harmonized with its doleful character. 
 
 Through the margin of the little light around him, on 
 one of the ridges where many a patriot fell he saw two men 
 busily engaged in some mysterious enterprise who carried 
 no lights. He followed the forms with great interest. 
 They bent low frequently, then as often assumed the up- 
 right position and shuffled from place to place noiselessly 
 and as if afraid of being detected. 
 
 " What do these movements mean ? " he asked himself. 
 
 Would the solution of the question come to him as 
 others did? Yes. The dark figures he saw were men 
 engaged in despoiling the dead. He trembled for his 
 own safety as the truth followed the inquiry. Should they 
 come his way and find him unprotected, they would kill 
 him instantly. He could expect no mercy from such men. 
 If any person had seen his countenance at that moment 
 there could be read upon it wonder, terror, and disgust. 
 He cowered in his little seat, drawing his large overcoat 
 around him, like one about to receive his deathblow. The 
 rain pattered on the parts of the carriage which had 
 escaped destruction, one of which hung above his head 
 and afforded him a little shelter ; the murky night became 
 blacker and more profound ; and the human ghouls had 
 actually turned and were coming towards him, as Saracen 
 Gay concluded that this was the most fearful moment of 
 his life. Then, like a criminal on the scaffold, he waited 
 with breathless expectation either a reprieve by the return 
 of Flappins, or a miserable death.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 255 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 WOUNDED ON BOTH SIDES. 
 
 THERE was a sudden halt manifested in the progress 
 of the two men approaching Saracen Gay, due to a 
 peculiar noise quite audible to both parties. This noise 
 first came from the depths of the valley beneath, gradually 
 ascended the side of the bluff, and cheerily sounded near 
 the ears of "the poor man of Christendom." It was a 
 repetition of the word " whoa! " While the ghouls dis- 
 appeared in the darkness, Saracen Gay recognized the 
 voice of Flappins, but wondered at the strangeness of the 
 word. Presently the man addressed him. 
 
 " I've made a raise, Saracen the best there was." 
 
 Saracen Gay looked through the darkness and beheld 
 the outline of a large animal near where Flappins stood. 
 
 " Do my eyes deceive me, Ris, or is this really a section 
 of Bull Run Mountain you have brought up here?" 
 
 "It is the bull without the run," replied Flappins jest- 
 ingly. " He'll carry us through in a walk; and this will 
 be an advantage, because everybody else is running so fast 
 that we will have the road all to ourselves. Besides, Sara- 
 cen, he can travel through all kinds of weather without a 
 stop, and won't be hurt by the transaction." 
 
 "Is it an elephant, Ris?" 
 
 "No, Saracen, it ain't. It's an overgrown steer an 
 ox." 
 
 Saracen Gay groaned on hearing this piece of informa- 
 tion. 
 
 " Is it reasonable to suppose this fellow will do the work 
 of our horses ? ' ' asked Saracen Gay. 
 
 " Of course he will," answered the -man.
 
 256 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " How wonderful ! And do you think, Ris, he'll go 
 off like a cannon ball? " 
 
 " Ah, Saracen, you have a great memory," said Flappins, 
 as he remembered having promised to procure a convey- 
 ance that would carry them over the route with the celerity 
 of the article described; "but," he continued, taking up 
 the thread of his companion's discourse, " he'll be wise to 
 go slow this time. We'll let him have his way, Saracen ; 
 he guesses more about the situation than you and I put 
 together if we worked at it for a month." 
 
 "Your knowledge of animals is something surprising, 
 Ris," said Saracen Gay in a complimentary tone of voice; 
 to which the man responded : 
 
 "You bet. I know what he knows besides what I know 
 myself, which is considerable; therefore, while he leads 
 and I drive you cannot be beat." 
 
 This assurance pleased " the poor man of Christendom " 
 very much, notwithstanding its illogical conclusion. His 
 drooping spirit revived somewhat, also, while Flappins 
 hitched the ox to the carriage and adjusted a covering 
 above it consisting of three or four rubber blankets which 
 he had previously collected for that purpose, as these arti- 
 cles were plentifully scattered over the field. 
 
 "You never found out how I dropped onto the ox, 
 Saracen," said Flappins, pleasantly, wondering why "the 
 poor man " had not questioned him on this point; "then 
 I'll tell you. The farmer that owned this ox is a cousin of 
 ray aunt's husband's mother. He lives about a mile from 
 the Gainesville road 'tain't far from here and, meet- 
 ing him a few days ago at market, he told me he dreaded 
 raids on his stock by marauders in this war. On inquiring 
 about t'he size of his herd, he said it wasn't much only
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 257 
 
 one head of oxen, which was valuable, all the same. He 
 hired the ox out to carry the dead to the cemetery. In 
 the country district where he lives there is no such a thing 
 as a hearse, and as his animal was the slowest creature in 
 the vicinity it was thought the best for the purpose, so as 
 to keep the interment of the dear departed up to the last 
 moment. He made money, Saracen, and don't you forget 
 it ; but, behold you, as my grandmother Flappins used to 
 say, the way things turn out is a caution. I asked him 
 how he was going to manage, not knowing that the infor- 
 mation would ever be of any service to me afterwards; 
 and shading his face with his hand so that no third party 
 could hear what was said, he told me in case of danger he'd 
 hide the ox in the big cellar under the stable, which is 
 banked up with dry manure as if everything was just level 
 with the ground. Will you believe it, Saracen, that that 
 there man had tears in his eyes when he thought how safe 
 his ox would be ? Well, when we got euchred ; when I 
 thought that your life depended upon mine, and that the 
 difficulty of our situation here must be relieved at any cost, 
 although, of course, we're poor; when I saw no way out 
 excepting through this ox, for, as you know, every horse, 
 mule, and ass in the country is in service ; taking all the 
 risks upon myself in good part, as well as the inconvenience 
 to the dead, not to speak of my relation's tears, I went for 
 him baldheaded, and here he is ! " 
 
 Saracen Gay remained silent for several minutes, lost in 
 wonder at the daring feat described in this recital, for he 
 did not understand whether it was meritorious in him to 
 praise or censure the man for his conduct in the case. 
 He trembled at the reflection of being borne forward by 
 the very animal heretofore employed to carry the deceased
 
 258 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 of the ultra Gainesville road people to their last resting 
 place, besides running the risk of being indicted for having 
 stolen property in his possession ; but, to offset these ter- 
 rors, he saw a means of escaping from premature death and 
 a return to the pleasant times such as he had enjoyed before 
 the war. Hence he poured forth a series of sentences in 
 praise of Flappins that fairly made that man laugh, not- 
 withstanding the dangers surrounding their situation. In 
 the meantime, every detail for the journey having been 
 attended to, Flappins, standing erect near the animal's 
 head and having a long pole in his hand, touched him 
 with it on the ribs as a gentle reminder that they were to 
 advance, shouting at the same time, "Whoa ! " in the style 
 he had heard others use it, so as to make the ox under- 
 stand they were at a burial instead of a retreat. Then were 
 heard sounds characteristic of a start the creaking of 
 the wooden collar around the beast's neck, a straining of 
 the impromptu traces, a resistance of the carriage in the 
 soft ground, which was overcome in an instant, the lurch- 
 ing of the vehicle to gain an equilibrium, and the voice 
 of Saracen Gay, jubilant over the successful movement 
 towards safety and freedom. Then, with a difficult and 
 hazardous trail before them, the party moved through the 
 night. 
 
 It was here for the first time that Saracen Gay reflected 
 seriously on the value of Flappins' services to him, and 
 learned the meaning of the word " faithfulness" as applied 
 to workers. All through that dreary night the man stood 
 at his post, now advancing before the ox to ascertain the 
 character of the ground, again removing heaps of slain 
 from their passage or guiding the beast around them so as 
 to economize time, and at intervals cheering Saracen Gay
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 259 
 
 by words of hope. The rain poured upon him, but it did 
 not dampen his ardor. The gloom of the night obliterated 
 all traces of a definite route ; but his knowledge of the 
 country, his powerful animal instinct, and his perseverance 
 carried him through it steadily with little interruption. 
 And what gave Saracen Gay more satisfaction than any 
 other feature of the journey was the pleasant mood of Flap- 
 pins as he performed every act connected with it, as if the 
 occasion were a mere ordinary one. 
 
 The direction pursued was northward instead of south, 
 for Flappins supposed that both armies had gone that way 
 with the intention of remaining; and while his first expe- 
 rience in following an army had resulted in woeful distress, 
 he hoped to do better next time. He conceived the idea 
 of going to Washington to hear all about the war and see 
 the great men concerned in it operating on the other side. 
 Of course, the mental condition of Saracen Gay, when 
 fully explained as heretofore, would protect them from the 
 interference of the authorities, for it was well known that 
 not only invalids but many radical Southern sympathizers 
 resided in the national capital during the war without 
 molestation. 
 
 Besides the obstructions and hardships lying in wait for 
 the two indefatigable pleasure seekers here in view, noth- 
 ing appeared to them so distressing as their inability to 
 relieve the wounded. Frequently Saracen Gay appealed 
 to Flappins in most earnest tones to stop and render all the 
 assistance in their power, but as often was he met by the 
 remark that it was impossible 
 
 " Never before did I refuse you, Saracen," said Flappins 
 on one occasion, "but what would become of you if my 
 strength gave out? I ain't able to do two things at once.
 
 260 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 It goes without saying and it goes to my heart as well as 
 yours to hear this awful state of things; but I started in to 
 save your life, and I'm going through with it before I take 
 my hands off of you." 
 
 These assurances of earnestness and attachment kept 
 Saracen Gay within manageable bounds through the most 
 trying ordeal ever experienced by his attendant. When 
 the dread terrors of the night seemed interminable, when 
 Saracen Gay expressed the belief several times that they 
 must succumb to the extraordinary difficulties which beset 
 them, when the air was rent by the bellowing of the ox 
 as if he instinctively apprehended the distress prevailing in 
 the neighborhood, the rain ceased suddenly and traces 
 of the dawn began to appear in the east. Then Flappins 
 called a halt for the purpose of providing rest and refresh- 
 ment for his party. Accustomed to travel, and having an 
 unlimited amount of resources at his command, the man 
 found it an easy matter to provide for their wants. A com- 
 partment under the carriage, containing provisions and 
 utensils, fortunately remained unbroken ; but, apart from 
 this, Flappins was generally known and respected every- 
 where, and his demands for assistance willingly met. Dur- 
 ing the preparations for breakfast a gray color appeared in 
 the atmosphere, as if some ingredients had been insinuated 
 into it which had the effect of dissolving the darkness. 
 This gray tint rapidly gave place to one clearer and more 
 pronounced ; objects became visible ; the vision was per- 
 mitted to extend itself over a vast territory; and the first 
 day after the battle had come. 
 
 Saracen Gay disengaged himself from the wraps provided 
 for him during the night, and stepped lightly into the tem- 
 porary camp selected by Flappins. On close calculation,
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 261 
 
 they had traveled about two miles. The principal part of 
 the field was behind them ; but sufficient evidence of the 
 conflict was still apparent on the outskirts, which they had 
 reached. 
 
 " The poor man of Christendom " turned away from the 
 scene, whose features had heretofore given him such dread- 
 ful distress, and examined one by one the several divisions 
 of his own party, Flappins did not by any means appear 
 at his best. The vanity of the man had been somewhat 
 chastened by accident and severity, causing him to speak 
 less than before, but to attend to the business in hand with 
 greater attention. His face had assumed a deep florid color, 
 both because of the amount of physical exertion performed 
 on the occasion and the effect of some good whisky which 
 he occasionally imbibed. His eye had not the fire of yore, 
 nor his tongue the flippancy peculiar to it before the war. 
 He was erect, but his step lacked firmness and his arms the 
 definite positiveness one exhibits when conscious of possess- 
 ing a full complement of physical power. The carriage 
 presented a woebegone and dilapidated appearance. De- 
 spoiled of its beauty, curtailed in its proportional lines, 
 tattered, bent, patched, grim with the mud of red earth, 
 and stooping forward like a person in the last stage of life, 
 it made the observer imagine its days of usefulness were 
 forever at an end ; but when Saracen Gay looked at the ox, 
 his heart bounded with joy. Oh, what a wonderful beast 
 he was ! Above the usual height of animals of his class, he 
 appeared to have reached extraordinary dimensions in the 
 vision of Saracen Gay. His limbs like pillars supporting 
 a huge body, it did not appear as if the labor performed 
 by him during the night disturbed either the serenity of 
 his life or the power at his command. While he stood
 
 262 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 immovable at the will of his keeper, the peaceful aspect in 
 him and around him seemed a spirit taken from some 
 imaginary shore where the golden sands of the beach meet 
 the purple glow of the evening to link in one continuous 
 chain the glories of an oriental day with the somber 
 grandeur of the night. In unison with this idea, his eye 
 looked out on the prospect with the calmness of a stoic, 
 and his breathing was soft and noiseless like the west wind 
 when its passage through the woods neither bends a bough 
 nor disturbs a leaf. 
 
 "Ris," said Saracen Gay, addressing Flappins, "is the 
 beast looking at anything in particular ? He seems to be 
 taking it all in. Might not he be calculating on the num- 
 ber of the wounded ? " 
 
 " He might, for all the good it will do him," answered 
 the man ; " but let me tell you a thing or two, Saracen : 
 he's looking out for fodder; that's all." 
 
 ' ' Everything is fodder to the beast, ' ' returned Saracen 
 Gay reflectively ; to which Flappins replied : 
 
 "It's purty much that way all over." 
 
 Reminded of the necessity of securing provender for 
 his uncouth helper, Flappins left camp by an easy march 
 and directed his steps towards a disabled wagon which 
 appeared to contain hay. As the objects mentioned were 
 only a short distance from the starting point, Saracen Gay 
 stepped forward also to accompany him. When about to 
 seize the provender the friends were startled on discover- 
 ing two men on the off side of the wagon lying with their 
 faces downward and their accouterments strewn indiscrim- 
 inately around where they lay. 
 
 "We're in it, Saracen," said Flappins, expressing in 
 this way his dissatisfaction at the fact of "being obliged to
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 263 
 
 turn away from his legitimate duties for others which did 
 not belong to him. 
 
 " They are soldiers," observed Saracen Gay, seeing uni- 
 forms; but as he was not then acquainted with their colors 
 and character, he did not know to which government they 
 belonged. 
 
 Flappins, taking hold of the larger man, turned him over 
 so as to exhibit his features. It could be seen immediately 
 by the rigid appearance of the body that the man was dead ; 
 and, with an ominous exchange of glances, accompanied 
 by corresponding shakes of the head, Flappins turned his 
 attention to the second case. This proved to be quite a 
 little man, fortunately not dead, but disabled by wounds. 
 When raised from the ground, he was limp and groaned 
 piteously. Flappins soon placed him in an easy position, 
 and, making an examination for wounds such as she had 
 been accustomed to do for horses disabled by accident, 
 found that he had been shot in several places, but not 
 fatally. 
 
 "Carry him into camp, Ris; there is room for one, 
 and by saving his life you might perhaps compensate the 
 world for the death of the woman," said Saracen Gay. 
 
 Flappins smiled grimly at this allusion, and, feeling how 
 just it was, went to work with a will to transport the 
 wounded soldier to their camping ground and finish up the 
 business of the morning. After two hours' hard labor the 
 party was ready for a new start. The little man rescued 
 from the battlefield was resting comfortably in the carriage 
 beside Saracen Gay. Flappins had also a seat on the front 
 part of the vehicle, but, with his accustomed energy, pre- 
 ferred to stand near the head of the ox as guide and inter- 
 preter. In order to quiet suspicion and give the public an
 
 264 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 idea of the character of the party, Flappins, at the sugges- 
 tion of Saracen Gay, had drawn in large letters this notice, 
 which was posted in front so as to be readily seen : " For 
 the Wounded. Full." Flappins on his own responsibility 
 added the last word as a reminder that further applications 
 for relief would not be entertained. When they reached 
 the highroad and movement in the direction of Washing- 
 ton seemed fairly progressive, Saracen Gay began to con- 
 verse with his wounded charge. 
 
 " On which side were you wounded ? " he began, endeav- 
 oring by this question to ascertain whether he belonged to 
 the Northern or Southern army. 
 
 " On both sides," replied the soldier, who, not compre- 
 hending the significance of Saracen Gay's words, located 
 the seat of his wounds on the right and left sides respec- 
 tively. 
 
 "Ris, can you explain this curious thing how a man 
 may fight for two opposing parties at once ? ' ' inquired ' ' the 
 poor man of Christendom." 
 
 Flappins, who did not fully understand the point at 
 issue, answered confidently so as to have no further dispute 
 on it: 
 
 " It's as easy as toeing a chalk line, Saracen. He can 
 kick at one and shoot at the other. Therefore, when the 
 kick recoils on the one hand and the shot on the other, he's 
 wounded on both sides. Do you see?" 
 
 "Oh, Ris," resumed Saracen Gay, "what a great ex- 
 pounder of truth you are ! I could never understand any- 
 thing if you did not give an explanation." 
 
 As it seemed a duty incumbent on him in return for ben- 
 efits received, the little soldier began voluntarily to recite 
 a short account of himself.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 265 
 
 "I was a three-months man," he said, "and my time is 
 out today. I guess the war is over for me. I fought 
 enough myself and my comrade. I'll go home and 
 think twice before I leave it a second time. Do you know 
 what I did?" he continued excitedly. "Isold my place 
 for about half of what it was worth in order to be with the 
 boys in the war. Every one seemed to be going ; families 
 were broken up ; old residenters moved away, nobody knew 
 where ; and a holy terror came upon the balance that kept 
 them on the watch as if the end of the world was near at 
 hand. I lived at Council Bluffs on the crossroads and was 
 doing well with the overland travel. I sold them trifles for 
 good money; it is really so": and the little man laughed 
 as he used to do formerly when known to the reader as 
 Crow Whifton. 
 
 "My comrade," he continued, "was Flanks Honey- 
 bone, the night watchman at Omaha. He was fond of 
 taking a "spin" through the town before going on the 
 watch, but this last spin he took in the war was too much 
 for him. Do you know ? he was the best-natured man 
 there was brave, too, and a good soldier. We were in 
 the same company, and both fell wounded together. Will 
 you believe it? that man, my comrade, carried me off as 
 if there was nothing the matter with him. Seeing the 
 wagon, we got shelter beside it ; but Honeybone died in 
 the night, while I, the weaker of the two, lived. He 
 raved a little before he died. He said, towards the last, 
 ' Whif, old chum, here's luck,' as if we were again in 
 Omaha and he was going to drink his favorite cocktail. 
 It is really so." 
 
 Finding by the gravity and attention of his listeners that 
 he had interested them deeply, he continued :
 
 266 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " The way I sold my place was odd. I gave it into the 
 hands of agents to sell for me. I spoke to my friends and 
 notified my acquaintances ; but they could not make it go, 
 because real estate was at bed rock. I did not know what 
 to do or which way to turn, except to turn out and aban- 
 don my property, when one day I met a talkative woman in 
 Omaha. The whole community despised her, and I fol- 
 lowed suit, because, there was not a thing she heard but she 
 retailed around until every one, gentle or simple, heard it. 
 Well, sir, that woman just found out that I wanted to sell my 
 property at the crossroads, and she made such a sensational 
 matter out of it and of it that in twenty-four hours after she 
 went on the stump I got a purchaser ! It is really so." 
 
 Saracen Gay and Flappins joined with Whifton in the 
 laugh which his story called forth. After some further 
 conversation "the poor man of Christendom" beckoned 
 his man to come to his side of the carriage so as to have an 
 exchange of opinions on the present situation. They 
 spoke in low tones so as not to be heard by the invalid. 
 
 "Northern man, Ris." 
 
 "I guess so, Saracen.' 1 
 
 "Kind of good fellow. I bet we could get him to 
 catch on to hypnotism, although I would not reckon on 
 him as a ventriloquist." 
 
 " He has the eye of a hypnotizer, Saracen. You can 
 reckon on that, anyway." 
 
 "Tell me, Ris, how will it do with us to carry him into 
 Washington?" 
 
 " It is the best on the cards if we were looking out for a 
 good thing twenty years. ' ' 
 
 " Really, Ris, you surprise me. How do you make it 
 out?"
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 267 
 
 " It will appear we have a moving hospital for Northern 
 soldiers. ' ' 
 
 "Yes, Ris, but how about the South our own govern- 
 ment, you know? Won't they think it rather strange to 
 see us figure in such company? " 
 
 "Naw," answered Flappins with some hesitancy, for he 
 was considering in what manner he could meet this rather 
 direct question. "'The poor man of Christendom ' is 
 never bound by rules. He must go where he has a mind 
 to and do what he thinks best. If the South gets rattled, 
 Saracen, we'll take their bonds to please 'em." 
 
 "Buy 'em up, eh? Ah, Ris, you are an estimable 
 fellow, full of resources, and so reasonable that you can 
 defeat all opponents." 
 
 Making a motion of approbation to Saracen Gay, Flap- 
 pins withdrew to his post, and the party settled down to 
 the understanding that they were on a difficult and tedious 
 journey. It would be inappropriate here to describe in 
 detail every incident, dialogue, jest, and sally emanating 
 from Saracen Gay and his party during the period above 
 mentioned, or to dwell long on the slow but steady pace 
 of the ox and the indomitable energy of Flappins, whose 
 careful attention to the wants of those depending on him 
 made them comfortable and contented. After a march of 
 seven days they appeared on Pennsylvania Avenue in 
 Washington, the greatest curiosity offered the public of 
 that time and place. Surrounded by a vast crowd, Saracen 
 Gay was secretly delighted with the sensation they had thus 
 created. He said in his simple way to Flappins : 
 
 "Ris, they are hypnotized, every one of them. What 
 a great success we are ! " 
 
 To which the man replied :
 
 268 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "We struck it rich this time, and don't you forget it. 
 I would rather be Ris Flappins today than the emperor of 
 China tomorrow." 
 
 A greater surprise, however, was reserved for Saracen 
 Gay and Flappins. When at the height of the popular 
 ovation accorded them, for such their reception seemed to 
 be, a man pushed through the crowd and stood before 
 " the poor man of Christendom" as if soliciting recog- 
 nition. 
 
 Immediately Saracen Gay, extending both hands, cried 
 out in evident self-satisfaction : 
 
 " Professor Furflew ! our long-lost friend and professional 
 brother ! What luck to meet you here where your art is 
 so manifest that Washington goes wild over it ! Ris, 
 look here." 
 
 Flappins turned and beheld Furflew smiling before "the 
 poor man of Christendom" with all the zest of an old 
 friend made happy by this accidental meeting. He 
 seemed to have improved very much, and when he spoke 
 to them there was an acquired accent, or tone, in his lan- 
 guage which told of a prosperous position. It would be 
 idle to attempt a description of Flappins' surprise and joy 
 on again beholding the man from whom he had gathered 
 so much fund and material for amusement. He actually 
 embraced him and otherwise gave evidence of his sincere 
 satisfaction and the pleasure he derived from his society. 
 After mutual exchange of experiences since parting in the 
 South the case of Whifton was submitted for settlement. 
 Furflew volunteered to procure a team and take him to a 
 general hospital, while Flappins would secure apartments 
 for Saracen Gay and himself at a comfortable hotel until 
 fully recuperated, having his carriage repaired at the same
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 269 
 
 time. Thus in half an hour after they met they parted, 
 the necessities of the occasion requiring it ; but Furflew 
 promised a good time in the future, when business engage- 
 ments permitted him to rejoin them. 
 
 When Flappins found a place suited to his requirements 
 and Saracen Gay was again in genial quarters, there was 
 yet something to be settled ; namely, the disposition of the 
 ox. He was no longer required. Having carried them 
 through a precarious period and a dangerous journey, they 
 must now turn him off because neither his personality nor 
 his manners were suitable for the society they were about 
 to enter. It was questionable if any person would accept 
 him as a present, or gift, and it would be impossible to 
 return him to the original owner. That night while 
 Flappins was returning from a walk in the purlieus of the 
 city, he heard two butchers talking about the supply of 
 meat in the market. One of them related to the other how 
 he was sometimes at a loss to supply the demands of his 
 customers because, on one fashionable row especially, 
 everybody wanted the same kind of meat at the same time. 
 This he accounted for by saying that there were two ladies 
 at the end of the row who led the others first by fashion, 
 next in methods of housekeeping, then again by fads, and 
 finally in everything. 
 
 " When they say 'tripe,' it's tripe all along the line," 
 he said. "Today," he continued, "it was bacon and 
 liver, but tomorrow, mark you, they ask for soup bone. I 
 hain't got it; that's all." 
 
 /lappins drew his hand over his mouth like an orator 
 about to address an audience. His head was high in the 
 air, as if some new enterprise had bewitched him into an 
 unusual strain of vain thought. He made a motion with
 
 270 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 his hand to signify that every person coming at that 
 moment to interfere with him or otherwise must be kept 
 back, and, stepping lightly up to the butcher who had just 
 spoken, made some proposition to him which could not 
 be overheard. The man looked up sharply at Flap- 
 pins, turned his head so as to revolve the problem a few 
 minutes in it, then bent his gaze on the ground and an- 
 swered : 
 
 "I'll see him." 
 
 An hour afterwards the faithful ox which had carried 
 Saracen Gay and his party to Washington was conducted 
 by the butcher to his slaughterhouse. What happened to 
 him there need not be mentioned openly ; but, by infer- 
 ence from the conversation of Flappins with the butcher 
 aforesaid, his fate was one to be deplored. Saracen Gay, 
 who was tender-hearted, would never have sanctioned this 
 summary disposal of the ox, especially as he had probably 
 saved his life ; and even with Flappins, matter-of-fact man 
 as he was, the recollection of the transaction haunted him 
 during the night until he groaned with anguish ; but he 
 managed to ease his conscience by remembering how 
 uncertain all things are in a world of circumstances con- 
 tinually passing away and why not the ox ? When 
 questioned next day as to his intentions regarding the 
 beast, his replies were more or less evasive. 
 
 " I found a fashionable quarter for him, Saracen, where 
 the good he does will be appreciated. Gentility knows 
 what to do with a fellow of that kind. It don't stop at 
 half measures, you bet. He'll be taken care of, and, 
 besides, he is off our hands." 
 
 " And how are you going to treat your relative for his 
 loss?" inquired Saracen Gay.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 271 
 
 "I'll send the price paid me for him as restitution 
 money, but never tell who did the stealing. Nor," he 
 added to himself mentally, " will it ever leak out, if I 
 know myself, that he supplied some of the high-toned 
 people of Washington with soup bone. 
 
 F 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE IDEAL AND THE REAL. 
 
 URFLEVV and Whifton, brought together through 
 the instrumentality of Saracen Gay, soon became 
 fast friends. It was found at the hospital to which Whif- 
 ton had been conveyed that his wounds were not serious. 
 During the first week of his detention under medical treat- 
 ment Furflew came to see him daily, thus affording each an 
 opportunity of relating a portion of his history to the other 
 as a means of entertainment while the visit lasted. It may 
 be readily imagined, therefore, how soon the fate of Heron- 
 dine became known to Whifton ; for to Furflew, who 
 related it, the capture of his chief and his own perilous 
 escape were the most thrilling incidents of his career. 
 Whifton appeared unusually agitated on hearing the ac- 
 count. He questioned his companion closely about the 
 arrest, and volunteered the opinion that he knew the 
 aggressors, or those concerned in it on the opposite side. 
 These opinions led him into a description of the events 
 that transpired about the time of Herondine's appearance 
 in Omaha, omitting, of course, such facts as related to his 
 own copartnership with Hamilton Hitch and the affection 
 for Grace Finnestare. 
 
 But there was more than these called up in Whifton's 
 mind by Furflew's information. The image of his ideal
 
 272 V.V THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 love burst again on his imagination with her classic beauty 
 magnified and the sweetness which characterized her life 
 modulated so as to enter his soul like sunbeams on a dreary 
 waste. He pictured her weeping while in dire distress 
 over her husband's dangerous position, and every fiber of 
 his heart responded sympathetically, as if the touch of a 
 divine power had awakened them into action. His medi- 
 tations, like the vision of a dream, may not have covered 
 any extended period of time in the presence of Furflew, 
 but the few moments spent with his lov.e in this manner 
 were as full of pleasure as years of ordinary bliss to other 
 mortals. The fancy which had first amused him grew in 
 his mind with time until now it filled the whole current 
 of his life with blissful satisfaction. His passion had not 
 the sting of unrequited love, because, fortunately for him, 
 he never permitted reality to interrupt the tenor of his 
 daydream or sought practical love-making with the object 
 of his affection. Therefore there was no climax where 
 disappointment came in with fulfillment, but a continuous 
 feeling of happy thought that nourished his life like the 
 sun the flower in places inaccessible to man. He had set 
 the gauge for the love of his heart, knowing it to be best, 
 and held to its dictates. No doubt there was some partic- 
 ular time or place or circumstance that taught him this 
 extraordinary caution some instant, when standing near 
 Grace Finnestare or beholding her conversing with an 
 imaginary rival, when his heart threatened to break on 
 account of the wounding of his feelings through the instru- 
 mentality of the situation. Hence he had selected the 
 ideal as being far more agreeable to him than the real, 
 however much the latter suited other people. He would 
 forever love his love at a distance. On the present occa-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 273 
 
 eion he was anxious to compare this condition of his 
 affections with lhat of his companion Furflew, who had 
 incidentally mentioned he was a married man. 
 
 "The strange way that I'm fixed," said Whifton, "is 
 this: I'm married and not married. It is really so." 
 
 " Gracious ! how odd ! " rejoined Furflew. " Spliced, 
 eh ? and disjinted at the same time ! " 
 
 "To bring it up to the higher grades of language," 
 continued Whifton, "I hold the ideal but not the tan- 
 gible." 
 
 Furflew burst into loud laughter at the thoughts this 
 language evoked, although he did not understand its real 
 significance. It was its odd character that made him 
 laugh. 
 
 Whifton resumed : 
 
 "I love a woman I do not want to marry or even 
 approach." 
 
 Furflew became more serious on understanding the 
 mental condition of his friend, and inquired: 
 
 ' ' Why do you love at all ? " 
 
 "It is comfortable and salubrious," answered Whifton. 
 " The human heart must love something. I have selected 
 a beautiful lady for my choice. What matters it whether 
 she is near me or at a distance, married or single, if I keep 
 the secret within my own heart. Thousands worship idols; 
 others adore spirits that have no existence. I improve on 
 both ; I have an idol and a spirit combined in one. A 
 man follows his spiritual nature, or the animal, and some- 
 times struggles to keep after both. From being a beast he 
 aspires to be a god. Why not put on the garb of a god at 
 the start, and hold to it. I only nursed the thought of my 
 love until it grew to be a companion. It was united to
 
 274 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 me. This was the marriage part. Afterwards my life was 
 like a summer's day. I was delighted with that which had 
 all blissful sensations and no recriminations. Through all 
 kinds of weather the lovely form presented to my mind was 
 the same, soothing, lovable, and godlike. In dreams 
 she visited me. In the imagination we roamed over fragrant 
 fields, through gardens of flowers, and even went into the 
 clouds following the path of the sun." 
 
 " Oh ! " exclaimed Furflew, " what a gay old time you 
 had!" 
 
 "I was content," continued Whifton, "as happy as if 
 it were really so. Moreover, I was good. It saved me 
 from the gross world. It lengthened my period of hope, 
 like a man in distress thinking of home so as to collect a 
 moiety of comfort by that means. The longer I remained 
 faithful to my love, the better it was for me ; and a most 
 singular thing about it was this: it Icept old maids and 
 sporting widows from throwing dust in my eyes." 
 
 Furflew laughed hysterically at the success indicated in 
 this speech. 
 
 "You had an open switch somewhere that threw them 
 off the regular track," he said humorously. " It was good 
 enough for 'em. See here, Whif, I'm blessed if I can make 
 out anything in yours but nothing. I ain't posted in spirit- 
 ualism or noculation, and don't go a cent on things that can't 
 be seen with the naked eye ; but I'll give you a dead pointer 
 all the same: that there plan of yours to keep the flies off 
 of you and make you a single man the balance of your life 
 is worth seventeen marriages all told, best or worst." 
 
 Here Furflew began a narrative of his experience as a 
 married man that held Whifton spellbound for an hour or 
 more by its harrowing features and dreadful endurance.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 275 
 
 Furflew's story reiterated the account of the hideous 
 deformity or evil associated with the human family of 
 unhappy marriages due principally to incompatibility of 
 temper and the variety of opinions of individuals brought 
 together as husbands and wives. Whifton lent his ear to 
 its details as if listening to the voice of an oracle in the 
 recesses of the earth, whose significance included some 
 startling revelation. What he had heard, therefore, about 
 two hearts becoming one, in a large number of cases was a 
 myth. All that had been said through the ages of time 
 concerning the blissful state of wedlock was not true, but 
 merely the formal declaration of opinions and recommen- 
 dations designed to uphold a system which was supposed to 
 be necessary for the preservation of the human race. Of 
 course it would be idle as well as unjust to deduce these 
 conclusions from one case, but Whifton called to his aid 
 the observation of his entire life down to the statement 
 made by Furflew and every item noted corresponded with 
 his reflections. The civil law had been employed to sanc- 
 tion this system. Heaven and earth and the powers thereof 
 were invoked as witnesses of the contract binding husband 
 and wife together for a lifetime whether their after conduct 
 to each other justified such association or not. Alas for 
 the ignorance of human invention and domination ! the 
 multitudes that have gone to the grave heartbroken, disap- 
 pointed, cheerless, hopeless, despairing of finding solace 
 anywhere, victims of an ironbound rule which held them 
 in abject misery, and viewing the approach of death with 
 supreme satisfaction, bear testimony to the fallacious basis 
 on which the institution was founded. It is not sufficient 
 to proclaim, " What God has joined together let no man 
 put asunder," because division, not unity, is the higher
 
 276 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 law. Personality individuality is the design of the 
 Supreme Power. Freedom from crime, freedom from 
 bondage in any shape or form, is the natural inheritance 
 of all persons qualified to observe the dictates of law. So 
 soon, therefore, as any individual usurps the legitimate free- 
 dom or peace or comfort of another, the terms of the con- 
 tract between them are no longer binding, judging from a 
 logical standpoint. No rule regarding or enforcing the 
 continuous unity of persons by marriage, their dispositions, 
 feelings, etc., can apply to more than a moiety of man- 
 kind, because they cannot be induced to agree. Therefore 
 the married state should be classified, or consist of degrees, 
 the highest being the one espoused by those who select to 
 live together through a lifetime; but the civil law should 
 legalize contracts of marriage for stated periods and make 
 their issue legitimate. In laying down rules for the regu- 
 lation or government of the people, men err most in trying 
 to obtain too much from the operation of a single law, 
 where such regulation should have been controlled by many. 
 Furflew's experience was an aggravated one. He was 
 unfortunate in becoming the fourth husband of a woman 
 who had long learned to be self-willed and adhere strictly 
 to the bent of her own ideas, never tolerating the opinions 
 of anyone else. Therefore when Furflew came to live with 
 her, incompatibility at once became apparent between 
 them. She found his methods faulty, ridiculed his reason- 
 ings, spurned the suggestions he made, and derided his 
 efforts as those of a fool. While Furflew eulogized ven- 
 triloquism, his wife scoffed at it as the work of a mounte- 
 bank; nay, the secrets of his profession, such as it was, 
 were revealed for the entertainment of her visitors, and his 
 future designs exposed broadcast to the criticism of a sneer-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. -- 
 
 ing world. Every aspiration he had previously entertained 
 concerning wedded bliss, every felicitous dream of comfort 
 and easy circumstances and the decline of an honorable 
 life soothed by the loving words of a gentle companion, 
 fled precipitately from his mind like dead leaves before the 
 angry blasts of winter. From being contemptuous she 
 turned to scolding Whatever genius he possessed was 
 neutralized by the cross fire of her words, his ambition 
 crushed, his hopes dissipated ; and life itself became a 
 burden. For a long time his acts were circumscribed to 
 suit her notions, so as to establish some kind of peace, but 
 his endeavors in this direction only seemed to aggravate 
 the virulence of her temper. If he moved in her presence, 
 it was accounted a crime, or rather a trespass on her dig- 
 nity ; if he spoke, it was said to be presumption. Hence 
 he became motionless in the one case and dumb in the 
 other. He resembled a person destined soon to occupy a 
 tomb. This became more apparent as he sat for hours 
 statuelike with folded hands and eyes fixed on vacancy. 
 He could no longer meet men with a smile. When he 
 visited public resorts, he sneaked through back lanes and 
 dark alleys, the slums of the town where the scenery and 
 surroundings harmonized with his thoughts. Although 
 the beauty of external nature hurt him not, yet he could 
 not behold it with delight. His vision even had become 
 vitiated, his appreciation warped, and his love of the 
 beautiful overwhelmed in the vortex of her vituperation. 
 
 Furflew's description of his troubles was not choice. 
 The flow of his expletives and vile epithets resembled a 
 torrent made furious by a rainstorm. He raved as if in a 
 fever, because heretofore the memory of his married life 
 had been purposely sealed up so as to permit him to enjoy
 
 278 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 ordinary existence. When the contemplation of it did 
 come, however, with Whifton as listener and sympathizer, 
 all the dormant anger of his nature was set loose to play 
 for the time being in one terrific scene of which he was 
 the presiding demon. He foamed at the mouth ; and the 
 wild glare in his eyes turned red in the tempest of his 
 passion, like a warning light in the darkness on a danger- 
 ous coast. Sometimes he became amusing when dilating 
 on her carelessness and eccentricities. The gifts he had 
 given her on their wedding day were misused mercilessly. 
 The silver fish knife she employed as a poker ; the spoons 
 found their way into the ash barrel ; and his picture, of 
 which he was proud, became the cover of a boiler that 
 forced the outline of his personality to vanish with the out- 
 going steam. Everywhere in their home there was evi- 
 dence of the destructiveness above outlined. The door 
 handles were broken off, the window curtains torn, old 
 clothes scattered over the chairs ; there were not half a 
 dozen unbroken teacups in the house ; the carving knife 
 was permitted to rust in the sink ; the dust to accumulate 
 on the walls ; and even the bars of the iron grate in the 
 stove were twisted out of place as if some force as strong as 
 dynamite had been employed in the work. Notwithstand- 
 ing her age and experience, Mrs. Furflew flirted ; indeed, 
 she seemed to think it as necessary towards maintaining a 
 cheerful disposition as pomatum for the hair; and, singular 
 as it may appear, she rarely selected a superior-looking 
 individual, but any man in sight. In economy she was 
 nowhere, always selecting the less for the greater, losing 
 heavily at every purchase. She loved society, loved to be 
 the leading figure on parade under the lamps of a drawing- 
 room and the most conspicuous talker in a crowd of women,
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 279 
 
 ruling others out of place better qualified than she for the 
 work, and far more becoming. Sometimes affectation 
 appeared in her language to an alarming extent, causing 
 Furflew, if present, to look up as if he had heard the re- 
 port of a decline in stocks or the warning of a rattlesnake. 
 It was then he fully understood what his mother had once 
 told him about marriage. Hearing him speak of wedlock 
 as a condition he would wish to espouse, she said : 
 
 "And so, my son, you desire to begin the troubles of 
 the world?" 
 
 "To begin the troubles of the world! " repeated Fur- 
 flew in astonishment. "I thought I would be about over 
 'em when I got married." 
 
 "O no, my dear," responded the mother; "troubles 
 never really appear until you have a wife." 
 
 Still he ventured, and purchased his experience like a 
 little man ; but, behold, he was beginning to think he had 
 had enough of it. 
 
 Mrs. Furflew hated to move anything out of her way, 
 such as an article of furniture or other material. If a chair, 
 for instance, happened to stand in an open doorway, she 
 would prefer to squeeze herself through the narrowed 
 passage a dozen times rather than remove the obstruction. 
 In like manner did she treat pans, buckets, spoons, or 
 gloves left on the floor. Instead of picking them up, she 
 would march in a circle around them or describe an angle 
 of forty-five degrees through the apartment, thus causing 
 her much inconvenience and loss of time. 
 
 The last occasion Furflew had of witnessing an exhibition 
 of this kind was on a Sunday afternoon while his wife was 
 dressed in her best clothes. Furflew observed the rolling- 
 pin lying on the floor in his wife's way a short distance
 
 280 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 from the kitchen stove. Notwithstanding its dangerous 
 propensity to roll if pressed from above, the woman heeded 
 not its presence, but as usual avoided it as much as possible 
 by the circuitous or angular passage. On the occasion here 
 noted her movements were rapid. No doubt the glamour of 
 dress animated her and produced an unusual buoyancy of 
 spirits which accelerated her locomotion. Furflew knew 
 in his heart she would not resort to the better alternative of 
 removing the rolling-pin to its proper place, and began to 
 speculate on what was likely to happen as a result of her 
 carelessness. Twice she touched the end of it with the tip 
 of her boot, causing the culinary article to spin out each 
 time nearer the direct line of her movements. Furflew saw 
 the danger increasing, but instead of withdrawing the source 
 of it or giving his wife a word of warning, he pretended to 
 be engaged otherwise, knowing full well his recommen- 
 dation would be scoffed at as so much miserable drivel 
 unworthy of notice ; but his interest in the scene continued 
 to be deep and absorbing. The rolling-pin seemed to 
 invite pressure. It would turn gently when touched, as if 
 for convenience sake, expecting the foot of the woman to 
 follow its movement, then stop in an attractive position 
 wooing expectation. At last the opportunity came. Mrs. 
 Furflew, in one of her sudden visits to the stove, tried 
 the soup. It had been boiling some time and gave out a 
 delicious odor quite in keeping with mutton bone, celery, 
 and minced cabbage leaf. Just as she turned from the 
 stove and was recrossing the floor, she applied a table- 
 spoonful of the hot soup to her lips. In an instant she 
 felt she had committed an indiscretion. Nay, more ; the 
 nervous shock produced by the scalding liquid in her 
 mouth contracted her right leg for an instant, then forced
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 281 
 
 her foot to the floor. Alas ! the spasmodic effort only 
 precipitated new disasters. The sole of her boot came 
 directly on the rolling-pin. She leaned heavily on its 
 smooth but unstable surface, and away she went ! There 
 was a shriek, a rustle of clothing along the floor like the 
 sound of a gust of wind, a gurgling noise in the woman's 
 throat, a crack of the left knee (this member having re- 
 mained stationary while the other one was carried with 
 the implement above named), a bending or swaying of the 
 person as when a mountain topples, then a fall that shook 
 the house, and Mrs. Furflew measured her length on the 
 floor. 
 
 It was a supreme moment, and Furflew caught its inspira- 
 tion. He arose from his seat, then burst into laughter long 
 and loud. He could not control the desire to be merry, 
 although he knew the exhibition of it in the manner here 
 mentioned would bring his matrimonial career to an end if 
 it did not break every bone in his body. Therefore he 
 exulted as one about to sail on a beautiful sea bound for a 
 happy destiny on some foreign shore. Nay, when the wife 
 glared at him while yet down, thus bringing his audacity 
 to task, he laughed the more intensely; but when his 
 merriment ended he fled from his home never to return. 
 The time was propitious for flight, and the man embraced 
 the opportunity, doubtless having previously determined on 
 such action. The ties that bound him he severed without 
 remorse, regardless of civil law or usage, because he thought 
 a higher one having greater regard for his individual hap- 
 piness took precedence of the others and bent his will to 
 its demands. Like the first man, the world was all before 
 him. He would again freely cultivate the genius which he 
 felt was his, and make merry over it without being subject
 
 282 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 to a scolding. His ventriloquism would flourish as of yore ; 
 sleight of hand also would bring him some compensation, 
 and trick of the loop fascinate its quota of gamesters at 
 public fairs and on the race track. 
 
 This, in substance, was the burden of the complaint 
 made by Furflew in the hearing of Whifton. It brought 
 the little man to reflect seriously on the several phases of 
 married life and contrast them with his own condition, 
 doubtless enabling him to come to the conclusion that he 
 had selected the better part. 
 
 "I would like to ask you one question, Professor," said 
 Whifton, "just out of curiosity and good nature. What 
 dish, for instance, was most served to you the winters you 
 lived with that woman ? ' ' 
 
 " Cold tongue," promptly replied Furflew, while a smile 
 played around his lips as if he were perpetrating a joke. 
 
 "Pooh!" resumed his companion, "it is a favorite 
 joint with me when I'm at home." 
 
 "Ah, comrade," returned Furflew, "yours was taken 
 naturally from the head of a steer, while mine was flayed 
 off the tongue of a serpent. Don' t you see the difference ? ' ' 
 
 Whifton nodded assent with a laugh, and the subject 
 dropped. It was felt that the requirements of the present 
 and future were demanding the unreserved attention of the 
 men, the services of both being needed; and, from the 
 language expressed by each, it was certain the work before 
 them bore an arduous character. Furflew, having lost the 
 leadership of Herondine, was now under orders to report 
 for duty at Saint Louis with the secret service men at that 
 point, thus removing him to a new field of operations. In 
 regard to his former chief, the authorities in Washington 
 would do all in their power to rescue him from the clutches
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 283 
 
 of his enemies, probably by exchange for a Southern pris- 
 oner, like those captured in battle. The man also explained 
 to Whifton that he had furnished Herondine's family in 
 New York a full account of his capture and carrying off 
 from the field, thus practically disposing of the case so far 
 as he, Furflew, was concerned, although regretting exceed- 
 ingly Herondine's absence and misfortune. 
 
 In a few days after these interviews had taken place, 
 Furflew withdrew to make his final preparations for depart- 
 ure, and Whifton was left companionless. His further 
 detention in the hospital, however, was inconsiderable, 
 occupying only about seven or eight days. During this 
 time it was noticed that Whifton meditated deeply on 
 some subject of great importance in his own estimation. 
 On his countenance there could be discerned sadness 
 mingled with the gravity of investigation. His little 
 breast would frequently protrude itself while he gazed into 
 vacancy as if there had come into his calculations a noble 
 plan or design worthy of a taller man. Subsequent to his 
 leaving the hospital he was seen about the offices where 
 discharged soldiers received a settlement of their accounts 
 or final statements. He was also seen to enter the White 
 House, probably to solicit some privilege in the gift of the 
 President. Then he disappeared. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 THE AFFINITY OF EVIL. 
 
 THE career of Hamilton Hitch in the South continued 
 to tend upwards. From the detective agency, 
 where he had rendered valuable service, he succeeded to a
 
 284 /.V THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 judgeship. The court over which he was appointed to 
 preside, however, did not appear to be one of the superior 
 kind, or, for the matter of that, regular in any sense of the 
 word, but an innovation or a creation designed to meet 
 the necessities of the times *in fact, what might be called 
 a court of exigency. War had carried with it a class of 
 offenders peculiar to itself, requiring ulterior means of 
 conviction or punishment. These offenders were the spies 
 of the enemy. Their energy, intrepidity, and dangerous 
 capacity for discovering plots and plans for the informa- 
 tion of their friends made them objects of detestation to 
 their foes. Indeed, the spies employed by both sides were 
 deemed worthy of receiving the swiftest and most unmiti- 
 gating vengeance possible in the hands of their captors. 
 Many of them were hanged in the open field without trial, 
 while occasionally individuals of the profession met death 
 in this way on mere suspicion. As the period of the war 
 began to extend itself, the punishment meted out to spies 
 was systematized. Men were too much engaged with their 
 duties as soldiers to stop to consider the guilt or innocence 
 of a supposed spy, and hence a large number of these so- 
 called criminals were sent to central points and given the 
 semblance of a trial. Thus the courts of exigency sprang 
 into existence almost instantaneously, like drinking booths 
 on a race course or flambeaus around the entrance to a 
 circus. 
 
 It was somewhere in the suburbs of Richmond that one 
 of these courts was established about the time above de- 
 scribed. For obvious reasons the name of the situation is 
 omitted, as, to tell the truth, the great majority of the 
 population of the city knew nothing whatever of its exist- 
 ence, if it really had one. At first it was thought impossi-
 
 THE FIRST DECREE. 285 
 
 ble to secure the services of a man with sufficient nerve to 
 occupy the bench of this court, for, be it remembered, it 
 had been set apart for a special purpose such as must neces- 
 sarily shock the senses of most people; but when Hamilton 
 Hitch was studied up and became fully known, the diffi- 
 cult problem was solved. The necessity of hanging brave 
 men otherwise guiltless of crime was a stupendous evil; 
 but, virulent as it appeared to be, it had an affinity in 
 Hamilton Hitch. When the proposition was made to him 
 he smiled an acquiescence that left no doubt of the result. 
 Even the desperate men associated with him in the under- 
 taking felt instinctively they had secured the right man. 
 Nor did he disappoint their expectations in the least de- 
 gree when he assumed control of the situation. Many a 
 turbulent character with a heart as strong as that of a lion 
 blanched on hearing his decisions. Many a proud soul 
 condemned to death by him on the most trifling evidence 
 wondered that creative powers should ever attempt the 
 production of such a beast. No man placed on trial as a 
 spy in his court ever escaped. Before the sun which wit- 
 nessed his condemnation marked again the meridian line, 
 he was a corpse. So steadfastly did the new judge adhere 
 to the death roll that the attendants of the court gave 
 him the sobriquets of " Never fail " and "Black Ham." 
 Within the lines of his jurisdiction his power was absolute. 
 He may or may not have kept a record of the business of 
 his court ; but generally sober-minded men shut their eyes 
 and closed their ears to it lest its hideous nature should 
 deprive them of sleep or produce some disease of the brain. 
 Sometimes a dreamer awoke at the midnight hour to hear, 
 the heavy rumbling of a vehicle in the street leading to the 
 suburbs, little suspecting that it contained prisoners spies
 
 286 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 destined to appear before ''Judge Neverfail." It was their 
 last journey ; and the ominous sounds coupled with the 
 time and place were indicative of some cruel disaster 
 seething in the depths of night. 
 
 In proportion to the success of the Southern arms the 
 boldness and unscrupulous methods of Hamilton Hitch 
 increased, as if he felt unlimited power coming to him from 
 the genius of evil which he had ever obeyed so as to enable 
 him to slay without mercy as many others opposed to him 
 and his set as came within the boundaries of his jurisdic- 
 tion. The place assigned to him, in which were situated 
 a so-called court and offices, seemed to harmonize with the 
 spirit of the man. It was near the grounds where gulches, 
 ravines, and ruts abounded, and the charred stems of partly 
 fallen trees. The buildings were low wooden structures, 
 erected prospectively for stables for cavalry but subse- 
 quently divided into apartments suited to their present 
 purposes. The dimensions of the court were not more 
 than fifty feet long by forty feet wide, with a strong wooden 
 bench at one end and a few old seats in the center and at 
 the sides. It had a low ceiling. The wooden lining above 
 and on the walls remained unpainted, and the dim light 
 coming through a few small windows gave a sepulchral 
 aspect to the place that at first sight made itself felt. The 
 court was not calculated to accommodate many people, and 
 the sessions were not long. Besides the rooms occupied by 
 attendants and guards there was a row of cells for prisoners 
 designated the jail. Behind these cells was a yard enclosed 
 by a high fence. The space here referred to was not exten- 
 sive, and had little ornamentation. It had been paved with 
 cobblestones, swept cleanly, and sanded. Just where the 
 sun newly risen usually danced its beams of light for a few
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 287 
 
 moments as if to gladden the hearts of men there stood an 
 ominous-looking structure consisting of rough lumber, 
 unpainted and weatherbeaten. It resembled to some 
 extent the framework of a windmill, having strong upright 
 posts, crossbeams, and platform. There were some dark- 
 looking entrances to this questionable monument, one 
 above and two beneath the platform, evidently coming 
 from the adjoining cells. The chilly aspect of this silent 
 piece of work with its terrible accessories soon revealed its 
 name to the astonished mind. It was a gallows. One of 
 the passages beneath the gallows was long and circuitous, 
 ending in an adjacent piece of ground, where also some 
 human careers terminated. They called it irreverently " the 
 lock-up for the dead," " Prisoners' Rest," "the cemetery." 
 Owing to the fact that troops congregated in the vicinity 
 of the place, having barracks there, and that wagons carry- 
 ing supplies were constantly moving to or from it, people 
 imagined the low, shambling buildings above described con- 
 stituted part of those necessary for military purposes then 
 in use. 
 
 Judge Hamilton Hitch resided in the outskirts of the city 
 about ten minutes walk from his court room. He boarded 
 and roomed in a house where he was the sole guest, the 
 other occupants being the owners a man and wife who 
 had accumulated some wealth through the industry of the 
 former at hod carrying. Their domicile was large, prepos- 
 sessing in appearance, and handsomely furnished; and to 
 secure the exclusive use of it with the exception of two 
 living rooms in the rear, the Judge paid extra rent. He 
 was now a great man, conscious of the fact, and lived up to 
 it. He dressed and walked like a person of distinction, 
 assuming the elastic step so often seen among senators,
 
 288 JN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 judges, deans, and little doctors. Generally he was not 
 seen in public, never at special gatherings of the social 
 world, and very rarely at the theater. The trick of push- 
 ing through society in order to become notorious or to gain 
 conspicuousness was in his estimation the natural concom- 
 itant of a fool. 
 
 After the battle of Bull Run, when Danderton returned 
 to Richmond and reported the capture of Herondine, 
 Hamilton Hitch seemed more shocked than pleased. The 
 event appeared so great that his joy overreached itself and 
 hurt his sensibilities. Some unknown power of which he 
 had no cognizance struck his heart in a mysterious manner 
 and made him tremble. Nay, he was assailed by a fit of 
 weakness, and perspiration poured through the pores of his 
 body. Still, he smiled his satisfaction and began at once 
 the contemplation of the case, so as to become acquainted 
 with each detail from the arraignment of Herondine in 
 court to that of his execution. 
 
 "You can make him out a spy?" he said to Danderton 
 while they were discussing the subject. 
 
 " Nothing easier, Judge. You yourself came near on to 
 him in Charleston. If that Whirlston woman had not 
 interfered, you would have nabbed him to a certainty." 
 
 " I remember the circumstance," remarked the father; 
 " but," he added, " are you sure he was there ? " 
 
 " Almost positive. Do you know it was he and Mrs. 
 Whirlston I met one night coming from church? After 
 they passed me I thought the figure of the man familiar, 
 yet could not place it on account of the dress and the com- 
 pany. Nothing seemed more improbable than that Heron- 
 dine, the husband of Grace Finnestare, would be in Charles- 
 ton masquerading alone and at night with an attractive
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 289 
 
 widow ; but afterward, when I received a dispatch from 
 one of ours at Washington telling me that he was in the 
 detective service and had gone south, the thing was plain 
 enough. It was then you tried your hand and lost the 
 game also." 
 
 Judge Hitch smiled sarcastically at the allusion to his 
 failure on the occasion noticed by Danderton. Some of 
 the bitterness of speech characteristic of him when speaking 
 of women was now displayed as he answered the comment. 
 
 " It would have made a dog howl to see her trying to 
 prevent me entering her house in search of Herondine. 
 Her shoulders moved as if touched by magnetism, her lips 
 trembled, the natural look of the eye changed to ferocity, 
 and I believe she would have scratched my face if I did not 
 wait patiently the proper time. I knew her efforts were a 
 mere bubble such as women put forth when they brag about 
 anything, and when I threatened her with the law she 
 squirmed : but it was too late ; the man was gone. I 
 would have given a cool thousand had I caught the two 
 together." 
 
 "My sakes ! " exclaimed Danderton excitedly, "it 
 would have been a grand catch a haul good enough to 
 laugh over. Think what news it would be for his proud 
 wife and the people of her set." 
 
 "I figured on something of that kind," returned the 
 father, insinuating that he not only calculated on the cap- 
 ture of the man but also the blasting of his reputation by the 
 circulation of false news after Herondine's imprisonment. 
 
 ' What would you have done, pap, if you had had your 
 way with that woman?" asked Danderton carelessly, re- 
 ferring to Mrs. Whirlston's opposition and the punishment 
 it entailed.
 
 290 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 The Judge answered something in a low voice, accom- 
 panying the words by a grimace and a hiss; then in a 
 louder tone remarked : 
 
 "I'd send her to prison for ten years and have her live 
 on bread and water six out of every seven days of that 
 time. As it was, she had a narrow escape. After you left 
 Charleston, General Beauregard interceded in her behalf 
 because he believed she was misled by false appearances 
 and false statements and therefore should not be prose- 
 cuted. Besides, there was no direct proof given by the 
 detectives that the person she boarded at her house was 
 Herondine. We were obliged, therefore, to let the case 
 drop." 
 
 Danderton then related his experience with Furflew. 
 
 "I knew him," he said, "as a deserter named Curler, 
 and, moreover, I strongly suspected him of being a fellow 
 of Herondine's. I was never so much surprised in my life 
 as when I was interrupted in the act of arresting him by 
 Saracen Gay and his man. I believe, Judge, the South 
 has too many fools of Saracen Gay's kind who are per- 
 mitted to do just as they have a mind to." 
 
 "There are worse idiots than these," responded the 
 Judge reflectively. "Certain persons seeking power and 
 place are already causing dissensions among our leaders 
 that will go far in undermining the stability of the Con- 
 federacy." 
 
 "Ah!" said Danderton, returning to his own subject, 
 " you should have seen that ventriloquist scamp. His 
 coolness was astonishing. As I approached the stage, he 
 knew me and yet never wilted. I came within arm's length 
 of him, when he received assistance and escaped. I re- 
 ported the matter to the authorities, but I was informed by
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 291 
 
 a private communication that if I valued my position I 
 would not make any complaints against men of Saracen 
 Gay's class. That was a pointer rendering me service. 
 I made no further report ; but I was determined to track 
 Herondine to the end of the earth, if necessary, and cap- 
 ture him. I began by carefully examining every piece of 
 news that reached the bureau from the North. I followed 
 Bonham's command into northern Virginia until I came in 
 view of Washington, as I knew it to be Herondine's head- 
 quarters. I had a vague idea that possibly he might cross 
 the Potomac and incautiously come within my reach. 
 He was never absent from my thoughts. Finally I received 
 information that he would be attached to McDowell's 
 army of invasion ; and I then suspected that he would 
 be found somewhere near the general on the day of the 
 first battle, either to watch for spies of the South or to 
 render some important service. This was joyful speculation 
 to me. I had a dozen squads of men on the watch the day 
 Bull Run was fought, some of them coming close up to 
 the flanks of the enemy. Through a field glass I discovered 
 Herondine on the run. He made a good showing. I 
 knew him by the shape of his body and the set of his head. 
 I rode rapidly to the edge of the wood, telling my men to 
 follow so as to intercept him. When he appeared, I grew 
 excited ; but seizing a musket, I leveled it at him lest 
 he might escape. Twice during an instant was my mind 
 bent on killing him, but each time something stopped me. 
 Finally I shot his horse and brought him down, when my 
 men rushed out and secured him. ' ' 
 
 "It seems odd you did not shoot him," remarked the 
 Judge, who had listened gravely to the foregoing narrative 
 of his son.
 
 292 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 " Wecannot account for these trifles on which great events 
 seem to hinge," returned Danderton. " I always found them 
 present at the most important moments, whatever work I 
 was engaged at; but, pap, did I not do well in this trans- 
 action by bringing down so fine a bird as Herondine? " 
 
 "You went beyond yourself," replied the Judge. "Your 
 perseverance was wonderful. I know of no one in the 
 department deserving so much as you. My efforts, even, 
 did not come within half value of yours. I shall make a 
 report to the government about your services, and we will 
 secure for you a high position." 
 
 The Judge would have proceeded in this strain had not 
 Danderton raised his hand as a sign that he desired to make 
 some modifying conditions before accepting all within the 
 glowing prospect whose description the father had then 
 commenced. 
 
 " I wished to bring Herondine alive in here, pap, hoping 
 that his wife would follow," he said. 
 
 This assertion of the son was given out in a timid voice, 
 as if he expected and feared the disapproval of the father. 
 
 "What !" ejaculated the Judge in a tone of astonish- 
 ment, while his face grew pale and his limbs trembled. 
 
 " It is the old thing, father," returned Danderton. 
 
 " D the luck ! " exclaimed Hamilton Hitch hoarsely. 
 
 "You are still infatuated with that woman. I had an idea 
 that the killing of Herondine was all you wanted, whereas 
 it now appears you only want his wife." 
 
 "It never appeared otherwise, Judge." 
 
 "I was mistaken, then. You are excellent in everything, 
 but a fool in this. All the benefits arising from my solici- 
 tude for your welfare will be destroyed by this one act. 
 No words can express my contempt for your conduct in
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 293 
 
 harboring such thoughts ; not that I disapprove of it because 
 she is a wife, or the thing, a woman, but because you cannot 
 succeed. Will you mark that ruin and failure must follow 
 the undertaking? You have within reach as fine a prospect 
 as any man on earth could wish for; yet, instead of pre- 
 paring to enjoy it, you take into your mind a hope that 
 cannot be realized one that may finally throw you bodily 
 into the cell of a lunatic asylum. While we plotted Heron- 
 dine's death, you were cheek by jowl with me; but now 
 that he is within our power and I am ready to slay him, 
 you cry 'Stop/ guided by some cowardice that you even 
 cannot explain." 
 
 With a scowl upon his features, Danderton bent toward 
 his father while he retorted : 
 
 " It is not cowardice." 
 
 ''What is it, then?" 
 
 " The beauty of the woman, to be sure. What else can 
 make a man a fool? I own up to it. I would be anything 
 to possess this woman. I do not even fear death should it 
 lie in my way. I am as anxious as you to see Herondine 
 die; but I wish to shuffle him a little beforehand, like the 
 knave of trumps in a pack of cards, in expectation of win- 
 ning something." 
 
 The Judge bent his head in meditation, evidently dis- 
 turbed by what he heard. Nay, he struck his hands 
 pettishly against the arm rails of the chair on which he was 
 seated and exhibited other signs of mental distress. 
 
 "O Danderton, who can account for this folly that pur- 
 sues you? I would rather see a wild beast on your track 
 any day than this cursed condition. If you reason with 
 yourself an instant you will find there is no hope for you 
 with the woman. On a former occasion, if you remember,
 
 294 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 I pointed out how dangerous it was to fool with such tools 
 as these." 
 
 " Have patience with me, father," resumed the son 
 calmly. " I am but a child when dealing with affections of 
 the heart. Perhaps I am no worse than men who hanker 
 after and practice vice daily without being noticed. I have 
 to choose what I like whether it is agreeable to other people 
 or not. So far as I can see, this is the general custom 
 among all classes. I want my experiments, and then let 
 experience teach me. If I suffer I shall bear the blame. 
 If I change my ideas by the gaining of knowledge, it will 
 prove the cure of my faults to be such as may be depended 
 on in future in similar cases. Remember we are fighting 
 on the same line." 
 
 "Well, what further plans have you? How long do 
 you intend to shuffle Herondine? " 
 
 " In a few days we shall be ready for his trial. I will be 
 informed as soon as his friends pass through our lines. 
 When they arrive I shall interview them : if there be hope 
 for me with the wife, we could run Herondine home ; but if 
 not, let him die here. Isn't that fair ? " 
 
 Without making a direct answer to the foregoing question, 
 Judge Hitch resumed : 
 
 "Let us say, then, that this will be your last trial also. 
 I am willing that you should gain all the experience possi- 
 ble, and therefore carry out your program to the end. If 
 Herondine has nothing else to save his life than the running 
 off of his wife with you, then the Lord help him in the 
 emergency, for he will need it from some source." 
 
 " If she backs out I shall see his coffin lowered into the 
 grave," added Danderton, as he arose to depart for his 
 quarters in the city ; and presently the Judge was left alone.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 295 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 BEFORE THE COURT OF EXIGENCY. 
 
 HERONDINE was imprisoned in one of the cells 
 attached to the court of Hamilton Hitch, making 
 it understood that he would meet the fate of a common 
 spy. He soon realized there was no romance in the situa- 
 tion no elaborately furnished apartments for his accom- 
 modation, or beautiful lady stealing through the guarded 
 doors to offer him consolation during the dreadful hours of 
 suspense which intervened between his capture and his 
 trial. Everything around him partook of sternness and 
 plainness, such as had been witnessed by those who went 
 before him charged with a similar offense a rude bench of 
 wood for a seat, a mattress of straw of the meanest mate- 
 rial, and an army blanket for covering, constituted his 
 bed. The void filled the rest of the cell, whose dull walls, 
 grim with unclean liness, seemed to foreshadow the cer- 
 tainty of speedy death to the occupant. 
 
 After a delay for which Herondine could not account, 
 but which the reader will understand was due to Dander- 
 ton's request, the New Yorker was brought to trial. He 
 was conducted by one of the guards through the doors and 
 passages lying between his cell and the court room, which 
 were all carefully watched by armed men. In the whole 
 crowd there did not appear a sympathetic face. The sin- 
 ister gaze characteristic of heartlessness met him on all 
 sides. The hour was ten o'clock in the forenoon; the 
 day was a glorious one, full of sunshine, through which 
 could also be seen picturesque scenery extending far into 
 the distance; and the balmy air from without, coming 
 to meet him as if in friendliness, made his heart swell
 
 296 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 with emotion. Notwithstanding the weight of his chains, 
 Herondine's person appeared upright. The shackles on 
 his wrists were light, but those around his ankles, as well 
 as the chain connecting the two sets, were quite heavy. It 
 required an effort of each foot to lift the weight upon it 
 before proceeding forward. Then the links of the chains 
 rattled, and some of them gave a dull thud upon the floor 
 as the man moved, causing even the callous-minded men 
 along the route to turn and gaze upon him inquiringly to 
 ascertain if he stood the ordeal in a courageous manner. 
 Apart from his natural stateliness and soldierlike bearing, 
 Herondine looked terribly shaken. One would imagine 
 he was a convalescent recovering from some malignant 
 disease. His features were overspread with a glassy pale- 
 ness peculiar to a class of invalids ; his eyes had lost much 
 of their animation ; he breathed quickly so as to be heard, 
 as if laboring under great mental distress ; and the backs 
 of his hands were unnaturally white, indicating to some 
 extent the severity of his suffering. The clanking of his 
 chains was heard in the court room some time before he 
 entered it, and every voice became silent as the dreadful 
 noise announced to the listeners' ears that Herondine was 
 on his way to trial. 
 
 What Herondine's thoughts were at that moment no one 
 knew. It was supposed that, having anticipated the worst > 
 he was prepared for it and had schooled himself to believe 
 that the climax of his mental suffering had come; for, be 
 it remembered, such acceptance of fatality is as distressing 
 as, if not more so than, the act of death itself: but there was 
 a phase of his case awaiting him he did not expect which 
 made him tremble in every limb as if he had been shot. 
 As he entered the court, his heart almost ceased to beat on
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 297 
 
 seeing in a corner near the bench his wife and his two 
 aunts, already weeping for his fate. He stopped an instant, 
 throwing up his hands as well as he could, as a sign of 
 utter astonishment and bereavement ; while Grace Heron- 
 dine, seeing him, gave a wild shriek of despair and fell 
 fainting into the arms of Aunt Frill. As the only wit- 
 nesses of this scene were the Judge and the guards accus- 
 tomed to duty under trying circumstances, there was no 
 disturbance in court. It was accepted as natural, but 
 the Judge made a sign which brought up a man to 
 remind Aunt Frill that if any such exhibition were 
 repeated, they the ladies must quit the place without 
 hope of readmission. 
 
 Then the prisoner was placed in front of the bench sur- 
 rounded by armed men ; the sentinels were set at the doors 
 and in the corridors ; the ladies, after Grace Herondine's 
 return to consciousness, resumed their seats in the strangers' 
 corner ; the officials of the Judge appeared to be in place ; 
 the crier and the prosecutor and everything in the apart- 
 ment indicated the progress of the business in hand. 
 When the prisoner raised his head and beheld the Judge, he 
 trembled not as a coward, but as one reminded of some 
 terrible feature of human life that seemed inexplicable. 
 Here was a condition the reverse of what he had previously 
 heard ; namely, the criminal was on the bench deputed to 
 exercise the powers of a judge, while the good man stood 
 in the dock with the certainty of dying a violent death. 
 How strange that this should occur after centuries of law- 
 making, preaching, and watchfulness on the part of those 
 having the good of society at heart ! Was it possible that 
 even circumstances leading up to such a spectacle could 
 shape themselves and mature in full view of the morality of
 
 298 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 heaven and earth? Yes. Evil was uppermost for the 
 time being ; let those explain it who can. 
 
 Hamilton Hitch looked on the prisoner with a pompous 
 air, such as an ignorant man sometimes assumes when he 
 is purse-proud or bespattered by promotion due to senior- 
 ity. His own triumph over Herondine, as well as the late 
 success of the Confederate arms, could be detected on his 
 features. There was no smile perceptible, but merely some 
 shade of animation that marked more distinctly the eternal 
 scowl which had always been upon them. Nowhere, per- 
 haps, within or without that court room, could there be 
 seen an object so fearfully interesting as the person of this 
 judge. When the light from a side window thrown open 
 to admit more air fell upon him, every eye beheld one 
 thoroughly merciless and treacherous. The outline of the 
 figure bore some relationship to that of a hog after a 
 drowsy sleep. He sat motionless without attempting to 
 speak, remembering, no doubt, Danderton's instructions 
 to him regarding the best method of coming into public 
 favor keep his mouth shut and the people would imagine 
 he was a profound scholar or a wise statesman. In his 
 present position he did it to inspire terror and make be- 
 lieve there was dignity in this statuelike behavior. His 
 present situation might be accounted better, but his person 
 worse, than previously. The thick neck was still prom- 
 inent, but the head looked more or less shriveled, as if 
 Time had twisted it designedly in a shocking manner so as 
 to make the man detestable in appearance before bringing 
 him to death. The middle part of his face protruded, 
 doglike, making the facial angle very acute; and the 
 top of his head appeared to have narrowed from some 
 cause directed against sound intelligence. Even his hair
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE 299 
 
 was changing irregularly, the lower part being full gray, 
 while that which clothed the upper parts of the cranium 
 was white and crispy with little pointed tufts here and 
 there, making, on the whole, a shocking picture when sud- 
 denly beheld Nature had withdrawn a portion of his 
 strength and stricken adversely his individual members, 
 but the power of evil had supplied him with additional 
 presumption His eyes had retreated in their sockets, 
 yet now they possessed a fiercer glare than formerly, 
 and, from being swinish, they seemed like those of a wolf. 
 Seated firmly behind the bench alone, with the special 
 characteristics conspicuous as above mentioned, he bore 
 some resemblance to an old bulldog waiting for a chance 
 to bite. 
 
 The prosecutor, seeing everything in readiness, arose 
 to make a statement. On scrutinizing his countenance, 
 Herondine said mentally, " Should I escape the vengeance 
 of the father, the son would complete the work of my 
 destruction." He saw in the prosecutor his old enemy, 
 Danderton Hitch. 
 
 "I accuse the prisoner at the bar, your honor," said 
 Danderton, " of being a common spy." 
 
 Before any one could reply to this proposition Aunt 
 Frill jumped to her feet, and, stretching forth her right 
 hand, said boldly : 
 
 "It ain't true, Jedge. Alton B. is my nephew, born 
 and raised, I might say, under my protection, to which 
 Aunt Funton is here to testify, likewise his wife, Grace 
 Finnestare that was. It ain't true nohow, Jedge. It 
 never was in him nor in his family; moreover, he didn't 
 need to spy on any one, good, bad, or indifferent. He 
 ain't in it."
 
 300 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Aunt Frill's appearance arrested the attention of every 
 person in court. Frail in body, with attenuated hands 
 and face, her hair white as snow, her cheeks wrinkled, a 
 ghastly pallor overspreading her countenance, and this 
 language, half irrelevant, half amusing, made her appear 
 deranged. Add to these features of the case her black 
 clothing with flounces of heavy black crape, and there was 
 a picture that any one might stare at in wonder. Her 
 voice was clear, however not harsh in its sounds, but 
 musiclike probably occasioned by the influence of the 
 good spirit behind it. 
 
 "You must not interrupt the business of this court, " 
 said the Judge to Aunt Frill. " You were admitted to 
 witness the trial, but not to plead for the prisoner." 
 
 To which Aunt Frill replied : 
 
 " I have a pass, Jedge, from President Lincoln himself 
 bless his good heart. It's for our whole party, mind you. 
 When I heard of Alton B.'s trouble, I went to President 
 Lincoln, and, introducing myself, said to him, 'Mr. Presi- 
 dent, I was for Douglas at the late election, but am fully 
 satisfied that you got in. Will you give me a pass to go 
 south ? My nephew has been captured and I want to see 
 him. ' Will you believe it, Jedge, that man smiled, and, tak- 
 ing a sheet of paper, wrote the pass without another word ; 
 only, when I mentioned that my nephew was confined in 
 Richmond, the President said pleasantly, ' I've ordered the 
 army to go on there; so you'll have lots of company.' ' 
 
 At the conclusion of this speech some of the guards 
 laughed, but Danderton, arrogantly addressing the lady, 
 resumed : 
 
 " I desire to remind you, madam, that President Lincom 
 has no jurisdiction here."
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 301 
 
 " No? the more's the pity, then, I assure ye," said Aunt 
 Frill loftily. " He is the President for all that. What you 
 have here is like the contents of my grandmother's pocket 
 a mixture of small things that, come to examine them, 
 worn't no good for one thing nor the other." 
 
 Danderton looked at the Judge as if to appeal to him to 
 correct this abuse of Aunt Frill's tongue. 
 
 "We cannot listen to such language," said Hamilton 
 Hitch. "If it be repeated, you must leave the court." 
 Then, turning to Danderton, he continued, " Prosecutor, 
 go on." 
 
 In the meantime, Grace Herondine and Aunt Funton 
 persuaded their companion to resume her seat and keep 
 silent. 
 
 Danderton's statement to the court referred to the pres- 
 ence of Herondine in Charleston and Montgomery, but it 
 failed to prove that the man was actually in these places. 
 To cover this deficiency in his testimony he swore that it 
 had positively been proven to him that the prisoner was in 
 these places severally as a spy. Upon the Judge accepting 
 this evidence as proving the charges against Herondine, 
 Aunt Frill groaned and the other ladies began to weep, 
 feeling that their case was hopeless. The report of the 
 capture, however, was Danderton's great means of convict- 
 ing the prisoner. 
 
 " Herondine was caught in the act," concluded he "a 
 thing that cannot be denied, for I witnessed it and found 
 the documents upon him which the court has in its posses- 
 sion." 
 
 There was deep silence in the apartment when Danderton 
 resumed his seat. Incidentally the Judge turned his face 
 towards Herondine's friends as if to indicate how conclu-
 
 302 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 sive was this last statement of Danderton's; and Aunt 
 Frill, believing the motion to be a challenge to respond, 
 arose and said : 
 
 "On the strength of his own words, Jedge, this man who 
 swears against my nephew is a liar. Alton B. was an aid- 
 de-camp, not a spy. Grant that he was carrying letters 
 from the commanding officer of his party wouldn't you 
 do it? That was not spying out things. On this ground, 
 Jedge, he is entitled to be held for exchange." 
 
 Then Grace Herondine stood up and spoke. She said r 
 
 "Aunt Frill is correct, Judge. My husband, the pris- 
 oner, was an aid to General McDowell, and cannot be held 
 or convicted as a spy." 
 
 Every ear in court heard the music of Grace Herondine' s 
 voice. Every eye looked at her admiringly, and then 
 turned to behold the Judge. 
 
 " The charges against the prisoner have been fully 
 proven," said the Judge. "It is clear to the court he is 
 guilty and deserving the punishment inflicted on others in 
 similar circumstances." 
 
 Hearing this unexpected declaration, Aunt Frill stood 
 forth in behalf of Herondine as few women ever did 
 before. While tears coursed down her wrinkled cheeks and 
 her breathing came thick and fast, she continued : 
 
 " I have his ransom here, Jedge. These papers are the 
 deeds of my property. There are, moreover, bills, bonds, 
 mortgages, assignments, acquitments, ejectments, releases, 
 collaterals, and certificates of deposit in fact, everything 
 I possess. I offer them as the price of his liberty." 
 
 Aunt Funton followed Aunt Frill, making a similar offer 
 of the property held in her own right, but the Judge made 
 a motion of dissent with his hand and said :
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 303 
 
 " We do not accept ransoms for persons who are enemies 
 of the Confederacy. The law is straight, and we see no 
 reason why any divergence should be ade from it. How- 
 ever, there was something else, Prosecutor. Did you " 
 
 He referred to the conversation with Danderton the 
 previous night regarding proposals to be made to Grace 
 Herondine. Danderton understood, and replied : 
 
 " I made the effort, but failed in my purpose. Let him 
 die." 
 
 Many of the guards appeared deeply interested in the 
 magnanimous conduct of the two aunts ; but the climax 
 of the proceedings set in when Herondine's wife, stung by 
 Danderton's allusion, addressed the court. The tears had 
 dried in her eyes through the effects of her deep emotion. 
 She was in the realm beyond tears where souls are appalled 
 by dreadful catastrophe or impending destruction. In such 
 positions many exhibit good or bad traits unknowingly. 
 What the witnesses saw associated with her were the rare 
 beauty of her youth whipped by chastisement into grandeur 
 like the fire of a meteor in motion, and the uprightness of 
 an individual conscious of possessing a noble nature with 
 determination to maintain it. She said : 
 
 " If it be inevitable for my husband, the prisoner, to die 
 by your judgment, we have sufficient fortitude to withstand 
 the calamity he in heaven and I on earth. There was no 
 criminality in his life ; therefore, we shall only have to regret 
 separation, that which comes to every one sooner or later. 
 It is you will have to bear the remorse of killing an inno- 
 cent man. The iron hand of unseen chastisement, that never 
 ceases to operate, will fall upon you and on yours until 
 justice is satisfied you have had enough. We came to plead, 
 to offer ransom for his life, to beg for mercy, but the only
 
 304 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 condition you seem to imagine necessary and effective is 
 for me to renounce my husband and marry your son. O 
 man ! will you never understand that allegiance to my hus- 
 band is worth more to me than the wealth of the world and 
 life itself? How could you and your unfortunate boy think 
 for an instant that I, a Northern lady, would descend to 
 such low-bred methods on any account whatever ? My hus- 
 iband will meet death willingly to save his wife from dis- 
 ho'nor, and I say for myself that the fair fame of the country 
 and society I represent shall never be sullied by any act of 
 mine." 
 
 She resumed her seat amid deep silence, although some 
 of the men present would have applauded if they dared. 
 Herondine appeared refreshed by the power of his wife's 
 words. He straightened himself briskly, and would have 
 spoken if the Judge had not begun to deliver the final 
 decision of the court. 
 
 "Stand forward, Sternbeard, captain of the outside 
 guard," said the Judge ; " and you, Greenlaugh, captain of 
 the inside guard," he continued, while two men in uniform 
 obeyed the summons and stood near the prisoner. "The 
 decision of the court is that this man Herondine be exe- 
 cuted in the usual manner tomorrow at sunrise and buried 
 an hour later; that you witness these acts according to 
 custom and law ; and may the wise dispensations of 
 Providence guard and promote the Confederacy. Amen ! " 
 
 At the conclusion of this speech the Judge suddenly left 
 the bench ; the loud orders of the captains resounded 
 through the apartment ; a number of the guards surrounded 
 Herondine to prevent escape and to set the death watch ; 
 and the man who had previously admonished Aunt Frill 
 suddenly came up and hustled the ladies out the side
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 305 
 
 entrance, giving them to understand that they could see 
 Hero.ndine that way but lo ! the door was bolted behind 
 them, and they found themselves in the street alone. 
 
 Dismay and horror were depicted on each countenance. 
 They could not speak, but wept silently. Aunt Frill, 
 accompanied by Aunt Funton and Grace Herondine, moved 
 away to regain their temporary residence and discuss the 
 next best means of saving their friend. As stated in court, 
 they had come into Richmond with a pass from President 
 Lincoln and some vague hopes of being able to pay a ran- 
 som for Herondine's life. They roomed and boarded in a 
 private residence owned by a Southern man whose wife had 
 been born and raised in the North and was known previ- 
 ously to Herondine's party. Hence they found her willing 
 to give them good treatment as well as advice. This woman 
 told Aunt Frill privately that party feeling ran very high 
 just then ; that people were afraid to question the methods 
 of the government, especially any institution like this court 
 where Herondine had been tried although, for herself, 
 she did not know much about it ; and that the wisest thing 
 to do was for the party to return home out of danger and 
 trust to luck for the balance of what they expected. 
 
 This recommendation did not give much encouragement ; 
 and as the problem of relief seemed exceedingly difficult to 
 solve, much of the day, after the return from court, was 
 spent in bemoaning and lamenting their hard fate. In 
 reviewing what had been done up to that time, it was easy 
 to apprehend defeat and disaster. They had indignantly 
 refused to entertain Danderton's proposition made to 
 Grace Herondine on entering Richmond. On that occa- 
 sion Danderton represented himself as the spokesman of 
 the Southern government, invested with authority to give
 
 306 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 them permission to witness Herondine's trial, but insinu- 
 ated he would effect the prisoner's release on his own 
 account if Grace consented to remain with him in Rich- 
 mond while Herondine returned home. This phase Of the 
 case appeared the worst of all, for the ladies knew that their 
 repudiation of Danderton's proposal would entail his eter- 
 nal enmity and ultimately seal the death of Herondine. 
 Yet Aunt Frill's restlessness soon shaped another course. 
 Armed with the addresses of several members of the gov- 
 ernment, she issued from her rooms when the shades of 
 evening were stealing solemnly over Richmond, intent on 
 interviewing each and every one of them so as to save 
 Herondine's life. Aunt Frill displayed wonderful energy. 
 The fire of her eye had rekindled as in youth through the 
 medium of her deep concern ; and the sounds of her voice 
 were sharpened, as if the acrimony of her distress had 
 destroyed the rich melody by which they had previously 
 been characterized. In the twilight she passed like a 
 shadow, or some memory of the long ago, or the conspic- 
 uous figure in a complicated dream, whose weight left an 
 impression not soon forgotten. She made calls late into 
 the night. There were many who listened to her statement 
 but averred they had no power to interfere, as the case was 
 outside their jurisdiction. Others cheered her with the 
 hope that Herondine would be exchanged as a prisoner of 
 war ; but when she added that he was accused of being a 
 spy, they shook their heads and appeared to think of him 
 altogether in another light. When she rejoined her com- 
 panions, there was much to speak of but little to hope for. 
 Herondine was conveyed to his cell fully alive to the fact 
 that his death was near at hand. He reflected a little on 
 the possibility of his friends gaining a stay of proceedings
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 307 
 
 or a rehearing of his case before another court, or, perhaps, 
 recognition as a prisoner of war; but, when his mind 
 turned to review the unscrupulous character of Hamilton 
 Hitch and of Danderton, he finally concluded there was 
 no hope for him. 
 
 Danderton, soon after the trial, visited his father in his 
 private apartments. The conversation between them 
 referred wholly to Herondine and his wife. The son 
 appeared more exultant than the father, because the pas- 
 sions which governed him were more vigorous, and as an 
 individual he was more interested in the fate of the pris- 
 oner. As a matter of fact, Hamilton Hitch always felt 
 distressed when considering Danderton's affection for 
 Grace Herondine, for he foresaw the futile results arising 
 therefrom ; otherwise, the execution of Herondine would 
 be little more to him than that of any other person in a 
 similar situation. 
 
 "Look," said Danderton, raising his finger as if to 
 point his words. " I feel as if I could kill the woman if I 
 had the opportunity. Don't you, pap? " 
 
 "I never liked her, to begin with," said the Judge ; 
 ''but that matter is altogether your own. I prefer hanging 
 the man. It adds freshness to my life, especially when I 
 can get under one of that good sort so much thought of, 
 and raise him into the gallows. It's a sweet job, Dander- 
 ton." 
 
 Danderton was too much concerned with his own 
 thoughts to smile at this diabolical pleasantry. 
 
 *' One thing more, pap, before we part," he continued. 
 " I am ordered to appear before the chief immediately for 
 some new and important duty. I cannot, therefore, be 
 present at Herondine's execution ; but will you personally
 
 308 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 see his coffin lowered into the grave? I vowed to witness 
 it myself; but as I cannot do so, on account of this extra 
 pressure on my time, I will get you to be my substitute." 
 After a little reflection the Judge answered : 
 " I swear, Danderton, I shall see his coffin go down into 
 the grave as sure as the sun rises tomorrow morning, with 
 the hope that it will be the last act between us and those 
 detestable Herondines. Now be satisfied, and take care of 
 yourself." 
 
 After giving a suitable adieu to his father, Danderton 
 departed for his new field of operations, while Hamilton 
 Hitch turned in upon his own conscience to gloat over the 
 evil at his command and the number of the unfortunates 
 upon whom it fell. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 THE INNER LIFE OF A BAD MAN. 
 
 ONE might imagine that, coming into power and 
 meeting independence as heretofore described, 
 Hamilton Hitch would reject ideas such as directed him in 
 former times when he was a dangerous thief. This was not 
 the fact, however. He never even dreamt of reformation, 
 but, on the contrary, studied, as he advanced, the most 
 subtle methods by which he could propagate his nefarious 
 designs against his fellow-man in the line above indicated. 
 His ruling passion, or the inner life which absorbed his 
 whole soul, was theft. No reward or emolument, bribe, 
 or hope of fame could turn his mind from its fascinations 
 for one single hour. He did not commit petty thefts as 
 on former occasions, nor engage in others of a more dan-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 309 
 
 gerous character designated grand larceny; but he de- 
 signed new means for their execution by others, arranged 
 an organization of thieves, and contemplated future prog- 
 ress for its members when he would have them bound by 
 crime and directed by craft. He brought thievery down 
 to a scientific basis. What he had seen of human life jus- 
 tified him, perhaps, in doing this measured according to 
 the peculiar formation of his mind and the drift of his 
 philosophy. Everywhere he turned he found thieves or 
 those who would be thieves had chance given them a fair 
 opportunity. The field was extensive, the mission great. 
 He would organize a society of thieves; teach them prin- 
 ciples of cohesion, faithfulness, and many others found 
 prominent in the moral code ; and to the people of this 
 organization he would be a Christ, carrying conviction to 
 their understandings by his unswerving fidelity to the 
 letter of what he taught. To his knowledge, there was a 
 criminal world permeating all else, corresponding to evil 
 as associated or existing side by side in the same universe 
 with good. This criminal phase of human life would never 
 be eradicated. It had existed through all time, and would 
 remain forever. Some individuals are born predisposed to 
 criminality ; they become criminal as a matter of choice, 
 love its requirements, and die thoroughly debased without 
 having felt throughout their whole lives one genial gleam 
 of God's beneficence. This was a part of the philosophy 
 of Hamilton Hitch. These were some of the facts on 
 which he reflected and for whose purposes he became an 
 active chief in the kingdom of thievery. 
 
 It will be seen from what has been written heretofore on 
 the subject in these pages that his studies in this peculiar 
 science were of a progressive nature and that the attain-
 
 310 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 ments derived from them grew larger in proportion to the 
 increase of his social and political power. In Omaha he 
 did little more than plan and resolve, but here we find his 
 organization in shape and operating with greater promise 
 of success than the Confederacy itself. In accepting the 
 judgeship of the court of exigency, he stipulated for cer- 
 tain privileges. One of those was that he be accorded the 
 power of selecting the men of his own guards. As this 
 seemed a reasonable proposition, it was readily granted 
 him ; but mark the result every man selected was a thief! 
 It was the first time since his escape from the gallows that 
 he had had a good opportunity of striking at righteousness 
 with effect ; and, uniting his experience of years with the 
 dark, crafty knowledge of his nature, he delivered it a 
 tremendous blow. The guards here mentioned were two 
 in number the first, called the outside guard, being 
 composed of fifteen mounted men ; the second, the inside 
 guard, made up of a similar number unmounted, or foot- 
 men. Each guard had a leader, called a captain through 
 courtesy ; for, be it remembered, the members, any or all 
 of them, did not belong to the regular army, but came 
 into existence for the special purposes here mentioned. 
 Their duties consisted in obeying the mandates of the 
 Judge regarding the removal or conveyance of prisoners 
 from a distance to the court. The mounted men attended 
 to this service, while the inside guard did the work of 
 cooks, cooks' assistants, orderlies, gravediggers, and the 
 necessary cleansing of the entire establishment. They 
 received clothing, rations, and pay from the government 
 for their public services, and a guarantee of continuous 
 employment from the Judge for their private ones. Thus 
 circumstances shaped the course suited to the most sanguine
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 311 
 
 hopes of Hamilton Hitch, and puffed him up with the 
 proud reflection that evil was more remunerative than 
 good and therefore more desirable. 
 
 It was wonderful how actively he began the business por- 
 trayed in his inner life when he held the law in his own 
 hands. He formed a "lodge " with its staff of officers, its 
 oathbound initiation ceremonies, its regular periods of 
 meeting, and its code of by-laws. Whenever a new mem- 
 ber was initiated, the members of the lodge wore masks. 
 This was considered a precautionary measure, and had in it 
 the air of mystery suited to the occasion. Every man in 
 both guards was a member of the lodge ; indeed, none 
 other would be employed in such capacity. In the begin- 
 ning, when the right kind of men were not available, the 
 organization was limited to eight or ten, but gradually 
 increased by the application and initiation of new members. 
 It was a curious fact that it was not necessary to be a 
 Southern man in order to gain admission to the organiza- 
 tion. The broad lines on which the society had been 
 planned settled that condition. It was intended for the 
 world at large, and therefore must have universal features. 
 Hence Hamilton Hitch readily took strangers into service. 
 They were from almost all parts of the world. Some of 
 them were criminals who had escaped justice by a hair's 
 breadth ; yet now that safety gave them a little comfort, 
 they complied strictly with the rules made for their regula- 
 tion. They felt themselves in the last ditch. They had 
 found in the past the opportunity of evading the civil laws 
 of the country, but here any divergence from the rules 
 made by Hamilton Hitch entailed certain death ; therefore 
 they became as obedient as good citizens for the time 
 being. It was seldom the organization reached its full
 
 312 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 complement of men. Vacancies were created by sickness 
 and consequent retirement by deaths, and the transfer of 
 members to other parts of the country as civilians for the 
 formation and government of new lodges. All these oper- 
 ations were, of course, conducted in the most secret man- 
 ner possible, as were also all acts undertaken professionally 
 that is, thefts. Every member of the gang was instructed 
 to note where any chance for a petty theft or robbery 
 became available. The case was then examined in secret 
 by an inner circle of the lodge, and if found safe and 
 worthy would be attempted by so many of the men as were 
 deemed necessary to perform the work. Articles of value 
 stolen in one city were invariably sent to a distance, so that 
 they could not be identified when sold ; and very valuable 
 articles were held for a long time before being offered for 
 sale, for a similar reason. If money were captured that 
 is, stolen by the thieves, it was divided among all mem- 
 bers of the lodge according to the rank, standing, and 
 efficiency of each. 
 
 Hamilton Hitch attained such eminence in the society 
 that, while sharing in its emoluments, he neither took part 
 in the thefts nor feared implication in them if any other 
 members happened to be accused by the law officers before 
 the regular courts. This immunity from the responsibili- 
 ties of crime was spread in the by-laws and emphasized 
 with the threat of death in case it was disregarded. 
 
 We heard the names of the captains of the guards men- 
 tioned in the court when the Judge sentenced Herondine. 
 It may be said in passing that they were Northern men. 
 
 Sternbeard was a little man with no special qualification 
 other than that he assumed to know more than his fellows. 
 This assumption of knowledge was a kind of fanaticism
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 313 
 
 due to the smallness of his mind and the operation of a 
 few facts upon it. At home he started as a quack doctor, 
 but, feeling the insignificance of that profession, merged 
 into plagiarism. In other words, he affixed his name to 
 another man's work and claimed to be the author of it. To 
 cover his theft more effectively, he selected a foreign author 
 a French writer on a scientific subject. What was more 
 extraordinary still, he did not know French, but employed 
 a French-American to make the translation. Nothing but 
 a thoroughly debased mind could sustain such a character 
 as this. This phase of thievery is worse than robbery on 
 the highway, because, while it is a bona fide theft, people 
 do not often view it as such, and punishment rarely, if 
 ever, comes to the offender. Sternbeard's adventurous spec- 
 ulations carried him south; and, hearing of the court of 
 exigency, he applied to the Judge for a position. When 
 the two men came to understand each other, Sternbeard 
 was made captain of the outside guard ; for Hamilton 
 Hitch, who, as everybody knows, was an ignorant man, 
 believed that it was wise to promote learning with the hope 
 that one day it would turn to craft. This settlement of his 
 worldly affairs gave Sternbeard an unctuous flavor. He 
 wore a sanctimonious air, as of one who had been gifted by 
 the gods or born religious. He had also a little spring in 
 his step while walking, executed so as to attract the notice 
 of the vulgar and cause them to imagine him a great man. 
 In order that his identity should be concealed as far as 
 possible, the name Sternbeard had been given him when he 
 joined the guards of Hamilton Hitch This was suggested 
 by the fact that he appeared to have gone to some trouble to 
 grow a beard without success. Some of the leading men 
 in the guards, seeing it, turned the exhibition into ridicule
 
 314 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 by calling him Sternbeard. Notwithstanding the fact that 
 he then and there discarded the idea of having a beard, and 
 appeared afterwards with a shaven face, the name was 
 accepted and held by his companions as appropriate, and 
 he was called by no other. 
 
 This method of naming men also applied to Greenlaugh, 
 the captain of the inside guard. Of the two officers 
 Greenlaugh was the greater villain. He had been an asso- 
 ciate of Sternbeard in the North, and had copied some of 
 his methods. He was larger in stature, but smaller in 
 mind. Everything he attempted was on a small scale, for, 
 to tell the truth, he was the nearest approach to a genuine 
 fool that any ordinary person could meet in a lifetime. As 
 a plagiarist he went the length of stealing an obscure pam- 
 phlet on fishhooks and how they wound the fish that bite 
 them. No man ever attempted authorship with a duller 
 comprehension of its requirements and less attainments 
 intellectually than Greenlaugh. He was flatfooted and 
 slightly bowlegged, and walked with a sanctimonious air, 
 as one gifted with the power of divination. When first 
 introduced, Hamilton Hitch gazed at him pleasantly. He 
 recognized by intuition that he had before him a man thor- 
 oughly selfish, capable of stealing anything or everything 
 within reach, and devoid of all feeling for his fellow- 
 men. For these traits of character he was promoted to the 
 position where we find him at the trial of Herondine. He 
 acquired his name through the peculiarity of his laugh, 
 or smile. This smile played upon his features most while 
 he contemplated mischief. It was he who visited prisoners 
 in their cells and by false promises of friendship endeav- 
 ored to obtain from them facts relating to the movement of 
 Northern troops or any information that could be used to
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 315 
 
 advantage *in the South or in the lodge. Greenlaugh's 
 features were square and soft, the nose being a broad pug, 
 the forehead low, the eyes a bluish gray, and the mouth 
 large. Those who stood around Hamilton Hitch at the 
 first meeting heard him dub the man " Greenlaugh, " and 
 they all approved, because to their minds it was most appro- 
 priate. 
 
 When an applicant for admission to the society did not 
 choose to be a member of the military organization, he 
 received such instructions as were necessary to carry on the 
 work of thievery in civil life wherever he had determined 
 to organize a new lodge and run it subject to the rules from 
 headquarters. On the night before the time appointed for 
 Herondine's execution such an applicant made his appear- 
 ance before Judge Hitch. It was after dark, just about the 
 time the Judge had finished supper, when, with a full stom- 
 ach, he was seated on the veranda in front of his rooms, 
 where some creeping vines had formed a shade and given 
 to the breath of night a cool and pleasant feeling. The 
 stranger stood behind the woman of the house, who came 
 to introduce him ; for it was customary for her to witness 
 the Judge's meeting, when at home, with all visitors, lest 
 some of them should prove objectionable. 
 
 "Here, Judge," said the woman, stepping aside, "is 
 one that wants you on business." She seemed to hesitate 
 about saying " man," because the visitor was a little person 
 who looked into every corner of the house with as much 
 caution as if he expected to discover a skeleton in it, and 
 shook his feet at intervals, giving the impression to his 
 companion that he intended to get rid of them before the 
 termination of his journey. 
 
 The two men gazed at each other in wonder. There
 
 316 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 appeared recognition on both sides, but each man seemed 
 too full of past memories to speak. 
 
 Finally the Judge gave the customary sign for the woman 
 to withdraw ; and when the door closed behind her he said 
 to the man : 
 
 "What change has been wrought in you, or what has 
 driven you here ? ' ' 
 
 The little man smiled, shook his boots alternately, and 
 answered : 
 
 "This has wrought the change. It is really so." He 
 held up before the Judge's view #. small triangular piece of 
 metal suspended from a strip of ribbon. It was the token 
 which, as the reader may remember, Hamilton Hitch had 
 given Crow Whifton before leaving Omaha immediately 
 before the war. It was the first step towards the initiation 
 of the man into the society which the Judge afterwards 
 formed. It was the sign that the novice had been faithful 
 and was entitled to protection and membership. 
 
 "Do you understand anything beyond this token?" 
 said the Judge. 
 
 "I do," replied Whifton confidently for it was he. 
 
 " How did you procure it ? " 
 
 "By study." 
 
 " What element did you examine? " 
 
 " The criminal element. I examined the darker shades of 
 life and viewed that which has been through all time. I 
 saw the other side of good to be the variety of life which 
 some call evil. I found it a great field, and knew you were 
 a worker in it to advantage. It is really so." 
 
 " How did you know my designs? " 
 
 "I read them off the mind of another man. One of 
 the stable men in Omaha and I compared notes once,
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 317 
 
 and we discovered what you were and the kind of business 
 you intended pushing in future. We had inklings enough 
 to teach a dozen men." 
 
 "You are smart, Crow Whifton. If you desire military 
 service, I shall appoint you to a place over the heads of 
 my two captains. I can make you major." 
 
 Whifton was staggered by the magnificence of this 
 offer. He smiled, bowed his thanks, and answered : 
 
 " I must go north. I fought at Bull Run on the other 
 side. With proper instructions I can carry out your plan 
 in my old place at Council Bluffs." 
 
 The Judge appeared well satisfied with this proposition. 
 In turn he felt exultant that Whifton should come so near 
 the interpretation of his pet project without the delay 
 incident to the use of an extra word. 
 
 "I'll endow you with full powers this very night," he 
 said. "You must appear immediately before the masked 
 lodge." 
 
 The Judge arose hastily to give instructions to his men 
 in order that the necessary preparation be made for the 
 initiation of a new member. When he returned, he had 
 the woman in attendance carrying some light refreshment. 
 It could be seen he had been moved to this liberality by 
 some powerful motive the one that had appealed to the 
 secret working of his inner life; and, besides, every fiber 
 of his person seemed touched to harmonize with his fondest 
 expectations in that his society was multiplying almost 
 beyond belief. 
 
 After some minutes spent in social entertainment the 
 Judge conducted Whifton to the anteroom adjoining the 
 masked lodge, where he gave him in charge to the outside 
 doorkeeper, while he, the Judge, disappeared so as to pre-
 
 318 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 pare the lodge for Whifton's reception. The outside 
 doorkeeper introduced Whifton to the inside doorkeeper, 
 who in turn presented him to the lodge; and thus he found 
 himself in one of the strangest situations of his life. The 
 apartment was well lighted and commodious. Military 
 accouterments hung on the walls. The officers of the 
 lodge wore badges, each having been also provided with a 
 writing desk, while the man who presided had his seat on a 
 platform in the east end of the room. Although no coward, 
 Whifton was shocked on beholding all the members pres- 
 ent behind black masks. This feeling was aggravated 
 when they began to move and speak. After a number of 
 ceremonies had been performed and a series of admonitions 
 delivered to Whifton regarding his future conduct, the 
 presiding officer asked what testimony was there to show 
 that this man was worthy to receive the first degree of the 
 lodge. Immediately a door opened near the platform of 
 the president and some one in a superior lodge dress 
 appeared and said : 
 
 "I, the unknown and the gifted one, say the man is 
 worthy." 
 
 On hearing this, all the members rose to their feet and 
 remained standing, as they understood this to be the oracle 
 and master. 
 
 It was the Judge. 
 
 Then the president continued: 
 
 " Crow Whifton, the highest testimony known to us has 
 been given in your behalf. We consider you henceforth 
 endowed with the first degree of this institution, a worthy 
 brother and colaborer in the field defined by our great 
 chief, and may your enemies perish wherever they 
 appear. ' '
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 319 
 
 At the conclusion of this speech the Judge retired and 
 the lodge resumed its normal appearance. The president 
 again said : 
 
 " Vice-president, conduct our newly made brother to 
 the inner circle, where he will make his request and receive 
 the evidence of the power in the keeping of our chief." 
 
 Whifton was led through the door where the Judge had 
 recently appeared, and instructed by his guide to make any 
 request he wished as a memento, or remembrance, of his 
 initiation. 
 
 "What is it you desire?" asked the Judge, who, as a 
 kind of high priest of the proceedings, remained masked 
 and clothed as he had appeared recently before the lodge. 
 
 Whifton felt dazed for an instant, like some poor wight 
 who had suddenly come into the possession of a large for- 
 tune. It seemed incredible that the possibility of what he 
 wished to ask was within his reach. In a voice that trem- 
 bled with emotion he said : 
 
 " I demand the release of Herondine ! " 
 
 As if a thunderclap had struck the house the Judge gave 
 an exclamation of surprise. It resembled the groan of a 
 man robbed of his money. 
 
 "Herondine belongs to the Confederacy," said the 
 Judge. 
 
 " This is why the exercise of your power will be made 
 more conspicuous," returned Whifton. 
 
 "But I never reprieve. They call him who sentenced 
 Herondine 'Judge Neverfail.' What you ask is too im- 
 mense." 
 
 " You will not attempt to obstruct what you have worked 
 so hard to establish? " said Whifton, growing more confi- 
 dent in the belief of his ultimate success. " The rules and
 
 320 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 conditions laid down for our guidance in the society must 
 be observed to the letter by you as well as by us ; otherwise 
 your commission ain't worth smoke. What is the Confed- 
 erate government to you compared with the beauty and 
 glory of your darling project? " 
 
 Here again the Judge moved uneasily in his seat and 
 whimpered as if his soul was held in some mysterious iron 
 grasp. 
 
 "Have it out," continued Whifton. "Let your pet 
 scheme mature to the full extent ; then it will mean some- 
 thing. The men who lead, as well as those who follow, 
 will understand it is no half measure, but the ideal of the 
 thief made reality. We care not for life or death. It is 
 the sunshine of the heart that makes existence endurable. 
 This sunshine in some is darkness which is a paradox, 
 while with others it may be the instinct of committing 
 crime. Herondine is a mere point that must not be held 
 to retard the business of the society for an instant of time. 
 You have power to release him. The demand is made 
 under the most secret as well as the most sacred of seals 
 that of united brotherhood and you know it cannot be 
 denied." 
 
 Whifton ceased, and the Judge became absorbed in pro- 
 found reflection. Good and evil stood face to face. It 
 was a passage at arms with the life of Herondine as the 
 stake. Whatever power was claimed by the one, or self- 
 confidence by the other, they were here for a battle to a 
 finish. Evil, as represented by Hamilton Hitch, appeared 
 to have the upper hand ; yet when the difficulty between 
 the two came to be examined logically, the pleasant light 
 of good began to appear to the discomfiture of its oppo- 
 nent, like the dawn above the mountain top in the face of
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 321 
 
 night. The little man Whifton made a simple motion in 
 behalf of good, and the whole institution of the other side 
 trembled to its center. All the security of composure 
 calculated on by the chief availed not when a plea for rec- 
 titude came up for consideration. He found his position 
 untenable, his reasons flimsy pretenses, and a coil of anxi- 
 ety winding round his affairs, threatening disastrous conse- 
 quences. 
 
 " There is a difficulty impossible to surmount," resumed 
 the Judge, " in Herondine's case. I pledged my word to 
 the detective bureau that I would witness the lowering of 
 his coffin into the grave tomorrow morning, and I cannot 
 withdraw my promise." 
 
 "That can be easily met," returned Whifton. "The 
 coffin intended for Herondine can be carried to the grave 
 and buried, but he need not be in it don't you see? " 
 
 "Ah, Whifton, you should be major here," said the 
 Judge, with a long-drawn sigh. "You have defeated me 
 on my own ground, but I admire you all the same." 
 
 After the adjournment of the lodge, Whifton's plan for 
 Herondine's release became known to the members of it, 
 and preparations were made by the outside guard to escort 
 him through the Confederate lines. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 A PECULIAR NIGHT BIRD. 
 
 IT was late in the night when Aunt Frill and her com- 
 panions lost hope of Herondine gaining his liberty. 
 As intimated in a previous chapter, they had settled down 
 to the indulgence of extreme grief when it became under-
 
 322 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 stood that no one to whom application had been made was 
 willing to undertake the pleading of so complicated a case 
 as his lest the intercessor should invoke unforeseen trouble 
 on himself. To avoid attracting undue attention while 
 mourning for the fate of their dear relative, the lights were 
 extinguished in the sitting room and the ladies congre- 
 gated in the recess of a large bay window overlooking one 
 of the streets of the city. Aunt Frill, although imbued 
 with as deep sorrow as Grace Herondine or Aunt Fun ton, 
 yet out of curiosity peered into the night and listened to 
 its combination of sounds. 
 
 From the distance deep-toned noises came to the ears, 
 varied and startling, as if heavy cannon were jolted against 
 the earth and great wagons laden with material were rolled 
 over the macadamized roads. At intervals there were heard 
 lesser sounds the tread of troops of horse, the hammer- 
 ing of workmen on wooden structures, or the accidental 
 jar of two substances in collision. Aunt Frill knew what 
 these meant the building of fortifications around Rich- 
 mond. On the street in their immediate vicinity, the 
 stream of pedestrians had grown gradually less as the night 
 advanced, like the thinning out of leaves from the trees by 
 the first blasts of autumn winds. It was singular how this 
 decreasing of individuals on the sidewalks seemed to follow 
 a universal law. At the midnight hour the moving mass 
 had disappeared, but, strange to say, a new phase of human 
 life was just beginning to exhibit itself. Here and there 
 could be detected a listless wanderer whose direction and 
 aim seemed purposeless. Some of these strollers had been 
 ejected from saloons in such a maudlin condition as to be 
 unable to determine where they were going ; others seemed 
 intent on seeking an open hostelry as a substitute for the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 323 
 
 place just left, in the hope of meeting some boon compan- 
 ion and continuing their carousal ; while a third class found 
 comfort or heart solace in the shadow of the tall buildings 
 of obscure streets where narrow lanes and alleys abounded, 
 dyed black in the darkness of night, in the absence of their 
 fellow-men, in the silence and irresponsibility of their sur- 
 roundings, and in the reflection, ignorantly foolish in 
 itself, that God was not there. Aunt Frill also knew that 
 these unfortunates had been called "night birds," and that 
 they were not inhabitants of any one particular city, but 
 could be detected everywhere on the face of the earth where 
 large congregations of people resided with or without civ- 
 ilization. 
 
 While cogitating on this curious fact, Aunt Frill saw two 
 horsemen ride suddenly into view. They appeared to be 
 bearers of important news, and to follow the custom of 
 army men by their fearless demeanor, quick movements, 
 and nonchalant air, for their faces were turned towards 
 each other as if they were engaged in conversation. These 
 minute details had no more than taken possession of her 
 mind when she experienced a genuine surprise. The 
 horsemen pulled up in front of the house ! One of the 
 men, dismounting, threw his bridle reins to his companion 
 and proceeded to pull off his gloves, or gauntlets, such as 
 troopers wear. Aunt Frill could perceive that he was 
 quite a small man, and muffled so as to conceal his features. 
 Irresistibly the sentence flashed through her thoughts, 
 "This is a peculiar night bird"; but she arose in much 
 agitation, telling her companions that messengers were 
 before the front door, possibly carrying some news of 
 Herondine. This revelation caused a general disturbance 
 among the ladies, for it was the last incident they expected
 
 324 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 to occur of all probable or possible. Hearing a knocking 
 on the street door, Aunt Frill threw up the window and 
 inquired the purport of the visit and the purpose of the 
 visitor. 
 
 " Is there a lady here with two aunts? " said the man. 
 
 "Yes," answered Aunt Frill, " Mrs. Grace Herondine." 
 
 The trooper raised his hand as a signal of silence, saying 
 as he did so : 
 
 " Please, madam, don't mention names. However, it 
 will save further questioning. It is really so. Tell the 
 lady to step forward.' 
 
 Aunt Frill retired and Grace Herondine appeared at the 
 window. The little trooper held some papers in his hand, 
 but with the other he drew the muffling closer around his 
 neck and seemed to hesitate before he began to speak. No 
 doubt the form of the beautiful lady drove him into a sur- 
 prise from which he could not instantaneously recover. 
 His voice, too, trembled as he said in low tones : 
 
 "A friend of your husband, and, I may say, of yours, 
 has appeared here within the last few hours and taken a 
 great interest in his case." 
 
 " Oh, it is the President in Washington that has sent 
 one!" said Grace Herondine hastily; but as the man 
 shook his head to indicate his dissent from the truth of that 
 proposition, she continued, "or, perhaps, the commanding 
 general of the Northern army or some of the men whom 
 my aunt has seen today." 
 
 The little visitor seemed distressed by this speech. He 
 muttered some incoherent words that none of the listeners 
 understood. He spoke to his own heart thus: "Oh, why 
 did I come so near to her and have a part of my beautiful 
 dream dispelled ! " Then he resumed his conversation.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 325 
 
 " The person is a stranger to you, madam, and probably 
 ever will be. Our time is limited : listen to what I have to 
 say. Your husband's release is assured; the why and the 
 wherefore may be determined hereafter. It is not that he 
 will be aided in making his escape, but that he will be 
 given unconditional liberty and an escort to convey him 
 beyond the lines of the Confederate army around Rich- 
 mond. Notwithstanding all this, madam, the utmost 
 caution is necessary so that this generous act may not mis- 
 carry or be diverted from its first purpose. Therefore pro- 
 cure a conveyance at once to carry you and your friends to 
 the point indicated in this note written by your husband." 
 
 Grace seized the note, and, stepping backward to a light 
 which had just been procured by Aunt Frill, recognized 
 Herondine's writing. In this communication she was 
 requested to repair without delay to a certain village, where 
 he would join her and from which they could travel home- 
 ward in safety. As Grace returned to the window to 
 thank the messenger, she was handed another paper. 
 
 "It is a pass," said the little man. "I understand," 
 he continued, " that the owner of this house where you are 
 rooming has a rig that will carry you and your people 
 through the lines. This seems all there is to do." 
 
 He hesitated an instant as if about to add something 
 more ; and Grace, on her part, was going to make further 
 inquiry regarding the generous liberator of her husband, 
 but said to herself, "Alton B. will know." She merely 
 repeated aloud to the trooper : 
 
 "Thank you." 
 
 In an instant the little man regained his saddle, turned 
 his horse's head in the direction whence he had come, and 
 rode off in a lope accompanied by his companion.
 
 326 IN' THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Then there began hurried preparations for departure in 
 the apartments occupied by Herondine's friends. They 
 were so overwhelmed with joy that they spoke and acted 
 like crazy folks. They giggled, laughed hysterically, and 
 screamed in suppressed voices. Aunt Frill, who at inter- 
 vals enjoined caution, was affected as much as Grace 
 Herondine or Aunt Funton, but, notwithstanding, she 
 attended carefully to every detail essential to the important 
 occasion. In half an hour the party was ready and started 
 under the guidance of the Southern man with the Northern 
 wife, who had acquired full assurance that the movement 
 was in every way legitimate. 
 
 It will be readily understood by the intelligent reader 
 that the little trooper who carried the important message 
 to Grace Herondine was no other than Crow Whifton. 
 Through his interference the two guards under the com- 
 mand of Hamilton Hitch were ordered to perform extra 
 duty that night so as to effect the liberation of Herondine 
 before daybreak. The undertaking was difficult and tedi- 
 ous; but Whifton, the hero of the hour, worked with 
 uncommon energy, infusing his spirit also into his compan- 
 ions for the same purpose. To secure the faith of the 
 ladies in the plan he saw it would be necessary to have a 
 note in Herondine's handwriting, and hence he deputized 
 Greenlaugh to procure it for him. Greenlaugh waited on 
 Herondine with the air of one who had been a special 
 friend all his lifetime. 
 
 "My dear sir," he said on entering the cell where the 
 prisoner was confined, "we would never permit you to 
 suffer. The Judge has the reputation of being cruel, but 
 you will now understand how liberal he is. He has just 
 ordered your release. On the request of a friend, he read-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 327 
 
 ily consented to let you go. We are all glad of it, and 
 propose to escort you beyond the city tonight. Write, 
 therefore, a few lines to your wife, giving the necessary 
 information where to meet you, and we shall deliver the 
 note to her without delay. Of course, you understand we 
 all must do things very quietly, on account of the unfortu- 
 nate condition of the country." 
 
 Herondine could scarcely believe the tidings true. He 
 wrote the lines asked for, however, knowing there was no 
 compromise in so doing, and prepared for departure when 
 his keepers deemed the time propitious. 
 
 "To whom am I indebted for this generous act?" he 
 inquired; for he felt, no matter what his character, he 
 would reward without stint the man instrumental in deliv- 
 ering him from death. 
 
 Greenlaugh smiled, but did not answer directly. In 
 addition to his other accomplishments, he was a great liar 
 a fault which no amount of exposure was ever able to 
 amend. 
 
 "It is not known who the friend was," he replied. 
 " We all had a hand in it, because we hated to see you pass 
 in your checks so soon." 
 
 " What a generous crowd you are! " said Herondine in 
 a burst of enthusiasm. " Now that you remind me of the 
 fact, I have remarked the orderly and good-natured behav- 
 ior of the men in this establishment. They are all gray- 
 haired, too, showing benevolence and sanctity above the 
 average military man." 
 
 "Oh, my dear sir!" returned Greenlaugh, bubbling 
 with suppressed laughter, " you have no idea of their vir- 
 tues. I could easily spend hours at a time recounting 
 instances of the goodness of heart existing among them.
 
 328 /A r THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 It is a thing worth remembering they even go the length 
 of sharing each other's gains." 
 
 At the conclusion of this significant eulogy Greenlaugh 
 bowed himself out of the cell, leaving Herondine under 
 the impression that the captain of the inside guard was one 
 of the most pleasant and honorable men on either side of 
 Dixie's line. It was then that Whifton, accompanied by 
 Greenlaugh, visited Grace Herondine and arranged for her 
 transit through the city. This done, as already recounted, 
 he summoned the detail of mounted men designed to 
 accompany Herondine. 
 
 In order to prevent officious questions from detaining 
 them on suspicion of the real intent of their march, 
 Whifton had a blouse and hat of one of the guards con- 
 veyed to Herondine with instructions to wear them and 
 appear as if he belonged to the troop, as Whifton himself 
 had done. Greenlaugh was selected to command; and, 
 the Judge having furnished the necessary papers which 
 authorized this body of local cavalry to travel wherever 
 their commanding officer pleased, Herondine, mounted on 
 a spirited animal, started with them through the darkness 
 on his way to liberty. On the march the men rode two 
 abreast, Greenlaugh being on the left of the front file, 
 where Herondine had been placed, while Whifton made up 
 the single file in the rear, closely muffled so as to conceal 
 his identity. Thus Herondine and Greenlaugh had ample 
 opportunity of conversing on leading questions of the 
 times, leaving Whifton to commune with his own thoughts 
 on the past and future. All these features of the journey 
 had been prearranged, Whifton desiring on his part abso- 
 lute immunity from recognition. Herondine, therefore, 
 did not know of him whether he had been long with the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 329 
 
 troop or a mere stranger, or that such a man as Crow 
 Whifton existed, although, doubtless, he observed the 
 strange appearance of the single file in the rear. 
 
 This singular reticence and love of being apart from 
 social intercourse with his fellow-men made Whifton's 
 thoughts valuable, because he reasoned not for opinion's 
 sake but for the purpose of discovering the whole truth. 
 This method, trifling as it appeared, gave him immense 
 power. When, in Washington, he had heard of Heron- 
 dine's capture, he compared the fact with some information 
 he had obtained from the stable man of Omaha, now 
 wounded in the hospital, concerning Hamilton Hitch. 
 This man, the hostler, was a novice in thievery (for he had 
 been approached by Hitch), and understood that Whifton 
 was serving a similar term under the tutelage of the man 
 just named, because he had seen them together during the 
 balmy days before the war. Through this source Whif- 
 ton discovered that Herondine would be tried as a spy by 
 the very man from whom no mercy could be expected. It 
 was then he became meditative, as seen in the hospital at 
 Washington, and in due time came to the conclusion that 
 he could rescue Herondine single-handed if such jurisdic- 
 tion as reported secretly to him had been given Hamilton 
 Hitch. During this period he clutched the triangular 
 badge as a thing of value. It was the symbol of mysteri- 
 ous brotherhood existing between them, and would prove 
 itself at the proper moment. If it had been given him as 
 a sign of membership in a gang such as Hamilton Hitch 
 loved all his lifetime, was it likely that the Judge would 
 turn aside now from his ruling passion just on account of 
 his position and surroundings? Oh, no, no! Whifton 
 knew better, even though he had been but a dealer in trifles.
 
 330 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 Therefore, reasoning up to this point, he determined on 
 going to Richmond, satisfied he could save Herondine. 
 
 There was another question to be considered indeed, 
 the most important of all. Whifton was really an honest 
 man : how, then, could he become an organized thief and 
 be still honest ? He would sacrifice himself, he said men- 
 tally, for her sake his secret love. If she were happy, 
 of what consequence was it whether he was within or with- 
 out the ban of the law? Whatever transpired, the reten- 
 tion of his ideal love was a certainty. Besides, there was 
 no other method possible by which Herondine could be 
 saved; and, what was also singular, with none other than 
 a thoroughly corrupt judge, villainous in the extreme, 
 could this be done. Thus, although committed to evil 
 through the force of circumstances, he would achieve an 
 immense amount of good ; that is, he espoused evil to win 
 good, inadvertently stumbling on the far-famed theory that 
 "The end justifies the means." He did not question 
 whether the good gained would be sufficient in the estima- 
 tion of the Supreme Power to cancel the evil and leave a 
 balance of good to the credit of the operator, because he 
 knew not how the Supreme Power would judge him ; but 
 his heart and his spirit urged him to the performance of 
 the noble deed at any price or at any cost. His method 
 would doubtless be condemned by his fellow-men. He 
 was more or less, on his own part, terrorized by the easy 
 transition from theory such as came to him in Council 
 Bluffs to the reality of the first degree in crime in the lodge 
 at Richmond, with its secret purposes, its brotherhood 
 sworn to be faithful to each other at the expense of the 
 people at large, and its stamp of eternal exclusion from 
 that liberty of soul which every good man loves to possess ;
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 331 
 
 yet, when he turned to the secret motive that guided him, 
 all appeared well. Having secured the main facts or 
 essential truths, as they might be called regarding the 
 case of Herondine and his judge, the remaining details 
 were easy of accomplishment. He procured a settlement of 
 his account from the War Department; the good President 
 Lincoln gave him a pass through the Northern lines ; and as 
 a civilian at large he made his way to Richmond. With his 
 peddling propensities and knowledge of human nature, he 
 soon found where Herondine was confined and the outward 
 character of Judge Neverfail. We know what followed. 
 
 Whifton now felt like the hero of a great battle ; his 
 designs were coming to a close crowned with unexampled 
 success. From the moment he stood in the doorway of 
 Judge Hitch's chambers everything went his own way. 
 There were opposition and contention, but for him there 
 resulted no failure. Like what may be written of Michael, 
 he had the power of good to assist him at the same time 
 that he knew the vulnerable parts of his archenemy. It will 
 not be difficult to understand this condition of success 
 when we reflect that what Whifton had assumed to be true 
 was really so, and hence when he came to conclusions he 
 found them correct. The exultation of spirit which forced 
 itself upon him as he rode on this eventful night in Heron- 
 dine's escort was something awful. He was like one en- 
 tranced by a celestial vision which erased everything from 
 the memory but joy. Instinctively he recognized the 
 beings in front of him, but his inner self was the custodian 
 of his thoughts and the only witness of his happiness. 
 How he chuckled behind the mask of his high coat collar 
 and the deep darkness of night, free from the obtrusive 
 gaze of the heartless boor and the sneer of the idiot !
 
 332 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 The escort was challenged several times while en route 
 to its destination ; but the smiling countenance of Green- 
 laugh, backed by the authority vested in him, removed 
 every barrier and silenced the clatter of every questioning 
 tongue. It was the last hour of the night when the troop 
 came to the appointed place of meeting. The darkness 
 had become deeper than before, as if it had concentrated 
 itself for the purpose of holding further sway over the 
 domain of space then in its possession, irrespective of the 
 claims of any disputant. Greenlaugh, having been posted 
 in regard to the identity of the house where Herondine's 
 friends were waiting, halted his men before a handsome 
 residence which, notwithstanding the unseasonable hour, 
 had a light in each of the front windows. The captain, dis- 
 mounting, advanced and tapped lightly on the door, which 
 was immediately opened, revealing the forms of three ladies 
 in the hall light within. Greenlaugh, after a few words of 
 introduction, wheeled round, and, drawing his sword, 
 which is customary when an officer gives a command, said : 
 
 " Le Count Herondine, dismount, advance." 
 
 Then the soldierly figure of Herondine was seen issuing 
 from the gloom into the light. The captain stepped aside ; 
 and Grace Herondine, coming from the hall of the domi- 
 cile, received her husband in her arms. There was a wild 
 and passionate ecstasy exhibited by these two people which 
 the good only are destined to enjoy. The cup of their 
 happiness was full to overflowing. Having tasted the 
 bitterness of adversity, they had come to the understanding 
 of the nature of true bliss. 
 
 Every one present, even the restless Greenlaugh, feared 
 to move lest the joy of these two loving hearts should be 
 disturbed by the slightest interruption. Whifton's dimin-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 333 
 
 utive form, as it appeared in the darkness, resembled that 
 of a minor god. There was a majestic air connected with 
 it, due to internal light, as if the mind had become pos- 
 sessed of some golden achievement unseen by human eye, 
 but far-reaching in its power to entrance with acute glad- 
 ness the sensibilities of man. Notwithstanding the gravity 
 of his demeanor, the curves bounding the outline of his 
 person showed one in deep sympathy with the principal 
 actors of the scene. Every movement made by the hus- 
 band and wife was scrutinized by him with the keenest 
 earnestness ; but when he witnessed their embrace and un- 
 bounded gratification, great tears rolled down his cheeks, 
 which the obscurity of the situation fortunately hid from 
 view. He, Whifton, had won for his love that which she 
 desired most. Therefore he had made her most happy. 
 The price paid for his own sacrifice was here given up. 
 His reward was on hand that consciousness of magnanim- 
 ity which in life nothing can destroy. The terms of the 
 contract with his heart on the one side and his conscience 
 on the other were ratified, and the greatest act of his life 
 Avas finished. Henceforth reflection would multiply his 
 joy until he became like a divine person, happy in a world 
 of unhappiness. Even the gloom which at that moment 
 encompassed him seemed fringed with purple and azure 
 associated with bursts of brilliant light more fascinating to 
 the vision than day. He imagined he discerned long 
 avenues of picturesque scenery, with glimpses of pale luster 
 beyond, and bright colors lining the hillsides and highways 
 to perfect a. view that none but the great of soul can ever 
 behold. 
 
 Herondine, after entering the house, returned immedi- 
 ately, and, addressing Greenlaugh, thanked him and
 
 334 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 through him the men in a neat speech. He then handed 
 the captain a purse of money as a souvenir of his good 
 will, to be distributed among them ; and added, if Green- 
 laugh ever desired service in the North, he, Herondine, 
 would most certainly secure it for him. 
 
 Shortly after he had ceased speaking, a vehicle resem- 
 bling a stagecoach came up to the front door, into which 
 Herondine, his wife, and his aunts were handed. Then 
 the driver, seizing the reins, cracked his whip, which was 
 the signal for departure, called alternately the names of his 
 horses; and springing into the road in response to the 
 appeal, the spirited animals moved away at a gallop. 
 
 Whifton returned to Richmond with the troop so as to 
 obtain full instructions in regard to his new duties at 
 Council Bluffs ; for he had determined on engaging again 
 in business at that thriving point, being fully satisfied also 
 that a three-months' campaign ending in a great battle, 
 of which he had been a participant, was sufficient warfare 
 for a little man of his physical capabilities. 
 
 The sun had not yet risen when Greenlaugh's command 
 returned to quarters. Shortly afterwards a bell was heard 
 tolling a funeral knell Whifton knew this was designed 
 to represent the burial of Herondine. From a convenient 
 place he witnessed the mock procession, and, looking up, 
 saw Hamilton Hitch in a morning gown gazing from a 
 window as Herondine's coffin was lowered into the grave. 
 
 Before noon of the same day Whifton received his final 
 instructions regarding the organization of a lodge of 
 thieves in the vicinity of Council Bluffs. As a mark of 
 distinction, Whifton need not personally participate in the 
 acts performed by the other members, but judge and direct 
 them like the chief at Richmond. Then the little trooper,
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 335 
 
 resigning his horse and uniform for the less gaudy habili- 
 ments of a civilian, journeyed homeward, verifying Aunt 
 Frill's idea that, either from a good or a bad standpoint, 
 he was "a peculiar night bird." 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 A SPIRIT THAT RESPONDED. 
 
 IT was singular Furflew's adventures were as exciting and 
 dangerous in his new field of operations as those of 
 Herondine just related. Ordered to Saint Louis from 
 Washington with the reputation of being an experienced 
 and reliable spy, he was assigned to a hazardous duty con- 
 nected with the military operations then in progress in 
 Missouri. While he had Herondine as a guide and ventril- 
 oquism as a stock in trade, Furflew had been comparatively 
 safe in the past; but now, when thrown wholly on his own 
 resources, where the employment of sound judgment was 
 an absolute necessity, he became restive under the self- 
 consciousness of insecurity which his surroundings entailed. 
 Besides, the detective force on the side of the South had 
 gained a description of him through the sharp practice of 
 Danderton Hitch. On this account he feared to renew the 
 demonstrations of his favorite arts, but, instead, dressed to 
 represent a traveling agent, easily seen to be spurious. On 
 the third day after passing through the Confederate lines 
 he was captured and his true character ascertained. The 
 position of the Confederates being uncertain in Missouri 
 at that time, it was determined to settle all trivial cases like 
 Furflew's with the utmost dispatch; therefore he was led 
 out to be hung to the nearest tree in the vicinity of the
 
 336 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 cantonment. On this occasion there was some show of 
 merriment at his expense, one of the men asking him in a 
 jeering way why he had not selected a profession less liable 
 to elevate a body. To this and other questions of a simi- 
 lar kind Furflew made no reply. He had made up his 
 mind that his last hour on earth had come, and hence it 
 seemed immaterial to him whether his captors took excep- 
 tion to his silence or otherwise. As a solace to his mind 
 he began reviewing his own life and calculating what he 
 might have been if he had followed some other course. 
 This gave him a little comfort, for the ideal carried with it 
 atoms of consolation for distress far beyond the power of 
 the real to produce. He thought of Herondine, of his 
 cleverness, his patriotism, and the loss his death would 
 bring .to the ranks of the detective forces of the North. 
 These reflections accompanied the preparations going on 
 for his execution. It is possible his peculiar thoughts were 
 evoked through that means. He saw the rope with a noose, 
 the barrel upon which he was to stand, and the tree from 
 whose stout limb he would end his career on earth. Nay, 
 he mounted the barrel; the rope was placed around his 
 neck ; his hands were tied behind his back ; and the execu- 
 tioner was about to secure the other end of the rope to the 
 tree, judging the proper distance, when a man in the 
 crowd made a movement demanding a little delay, as if he 
 had not been fully satisfied of the guilt of the accused. 
 The question was then propounded for Furflew : 
 
 " Have you any friend that would volunteer to say a 
 word in your behalf? " 
 
 Furflew started as if awakened from a dream. His mind 
 flew to several persons in succession, but as quickly did he 
 turn away from them, concluding that the mention of their
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 337 
 
 names could not serve him in the present emergency. He 
 thought of his wife, from whom he had divorced himself. 
 Perhaps she had come west and would influence the persons 
 concerned in his present difficulties so as to induce them to 
 set him at liberty ; but when he fixed his thoughts on her 
 as a possible companion in the future, he raised his eyes to 
 heaven and prayed, ' O God, if she is coming, let me go 
 out by way of the rope!" He thought also of Saracen 
 Gay and Flappins; but he remembered when he quitted 
 Washington these Southern friends of his were in that city, 
 and he was afraid to mention them lest on investigation his 
 captors might become acquainted with his real character. 
 Seeing the quandary in which Furflew was involved, the 
 executioner shook the rope, thinking that additional fear 
 might possibly aid him in finding an answer. This rude 
 method of calculation seemed to produce good results, for 
 presently Furflew raised his head and replied : 
 
 "The one man on earth who ever gave me an insight 
 into human power was Rob Riddleton. If he were here, 
 he would speak for me, you bet." 
 
 Immediately on hearing these words every countenance 
 changed expression, and, for the matter of that, every 
 tongue repeated the words, ' ' Rob Riddleton ! ' ' with the 
 utmost surprise. These were trivial incidents, however, 
 compared with what then transpired, as if the spirit of Rob 
 Riddleton had responded to the call There was seen 
 coming into camp a horseman dashing along at full gallop. 
 Furflew had seen that horseman once before, coursing 
 between the lines on the morning of the battle of Bull 
 Run, and his mouth opened in wonder, and his heart pal- 
 pitated with expectation far beyond that exercised by the 
 knowledge of the approach of death. Every head turned
 
 338 AV 7^HE DEPTHS OF 
 
 to behold the newcomer, for he was a gallant-looking man 
 on the back of as fine a horse as could be seen among ten 
 thousand. There was a brilliant luster in his eyes and a 
 bloom upon his cheeks that a drawing-room beauty might 
 envy. Some of the men, taking off their caps, shouted, 
 "Welcome, Rob Riddleton ! " It appears he was well 
 known to them as a Confederate scout ; and on this occa- 
 sion there was nothing to make them doubt it, for he was. 
 dressed in the full uniform of one. 
 
 "What have we here, Captain," he said, after pulling up 
 in front of the condemned man ; and without waiting for 
 an answer continued: "Why, bless my soul! it is Fur- 
 flew, one of my men. How near you came, Captain, to 
 the commission of a grave mistake ! I heard of this little 
 affair a short time since, and came prepared." 
 
 Here Rob Riddleton pulled a document from his breast 
 and handed it to the man in charge. It was an order for the 
 release of Furflew signed by the Southern general com- 
 manding in Missouri. The captain of the detachment, 
 feeling himself actually in error, was not slow in setting his 
 prisoner at liberty, with many excuses to the scout lest he 
 should make an unfavorable report of him to the general. 
 Riddleton assured him there would be no further words on 
 the subject by him, and, pleasantly bidding the men good- 
 bye, leisurely rode out of camp accompanied by Furflew. 
 When a short distance from view the man was invited to a 
 seat behind his new chief, and in this manner was con- 
 veyed to the nearest hamlet, where a horse was procured 
 for him and the journey resumed. All these movements 
 were made with the utmost caution and expedition. 
 
 As will be remembered, Rob Riddleton was playing a 
 dual part. He was one of the chiefs of the secret service in
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 339 
 
 Saint Louis in the interests of the North, as Herondine was 
 at Washington ; but, unlike Herondine, he took extraor- 
 dinary chances and boldly assumed the garb of a Confed- 
 erate scout when it suited his purpose. On the occasion 
 here related, he was absent when Furflew was assigned to 
 duty. On being informed of the detail, however, when he 
 returned, he saw in an instant that the man would lose his 
 life on account of the nature of the duty if he did not send 
 him aid at once. He concluded in this manner because he 
 knew Furflew's capacity ; and in his judgment his mission 
 would be a failure with the loss of a man. The wonderful 
 intrepidity of Riddleton, however, would not permit him 
 to acknowledge the defeat of his bureau. He took the 
 case in hand regardless of danger to his own life, and trav- 
 eled in true scout fashion until he actually carried Furflew 
 off from the gallows. The general's order was bogus. 
 Notwithstanding his success, Rob knew instinctively that 
 he could practice acts of this kind only at long intervals, 
 and even then with considerable risk ; for the detectives of 
 the Confederacy were active, efficient, and painstaking. 
 It was true many regiments of the Southern army knew 
 him as a Confederate scout, but the most trivial circum- 
 stance might at any time reveal his true character and 
 deliver him into the hands of his enemies. It was well 
 that he took the precaution of beating a hasty retreat from 
 the cantonment above mentioned, else he would have been 
 captured in camp. What led up to this contingency will 
 be seen presently. 
 
 The secret service bureau of the South entertained doubts 
 as to the genuine character of Rob Riddleton. Indeed, 
 there were reasons and reports offered to show that, not- 
 withstanding the fact that some Confederate generals con-
 
 340 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 sidered him "safe" and "true," he was an emissary of 
 the enemy. Hence he had long been marked among the 
 suspects, and strict orders had been given several men of 
 the department to dog his footsteps with the ulterior pur- 
 pose of arriving at the truth in his case. 
 
 When Danderton Hitch reported the capture of Heron- 
 dine, it was seen he was an adept in detective work. It 
 was conjectured also that his services as a whole had been 
 so valuable he would undoubtedly be promoted to the line 
 of the army with the rank of brigadier general. As an 
 inducement to hasten this desirable end, it was thought 
 wise to commit into his hands the management of the 
 Riddleton problem. With this understanding, he was 
 hastily ordered to change station and look out for his sup- 
 posed Northern rival. 
 
 In the field of his new duties the first news that reached 
 Danderton was the secret report of the capture of Furflew, 
 to which had been added a description of the man. The 
 mention of Furflew's broken nose brought to Danderton's 
 mind all the train of incidents connected with his own 
 detective service in which the spy had figured, and his 
 gratification and curiosity became so intense that he deter- 
 mined on seeing him dead or alive. With this idea in 
 view, he mounted his horse and rode direct for the canton 
 ment where Furflew was detained, on the same day that 
 Rob Riddleton directed a similar journey. Thus by a 
 series of curious circumstances two of the foremost scouts 
 connected with the civil war were brought together as i! 
 it had been designed to test their strength and capacity by 
 a hand-to-hand struggle. It was not more than an hour 
 after the disappearance of Riddleton and Furflew until 
 Danderton came into camp. He was accompanied by a
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 341 
 
 posse of three men well mounted and therefore prepared to 
 carry out his design without asking for further aid. On 
 hearing that Riddleton had carried Furflew off he grew 
 joyous beyond description. He made no comment on the 
 action of the captain in charge, but merely asked to see the 
 order on which the late prisoner had been released. Sat- 
 isfied with his inspection, and learning the direction taken 
 by the fugitives, he at once spurred his horse into full pur- 
 suit, directing his men at the same time to follow with 
 equal speed. At the village where Rob Riddleton had 
 procured a horse for Furflew Danderton received further 
 information of those for whom he was in quest. They 
 were only twenty minutes ahead. This fact showed he had 
 gained on the party on account of the delay, or slow 
 motion, made by it from the camp to the hamlet. Dan- 
 derton was further informed, however, that the men were 
 well mounted and had left in haste as if aware of the pur- 
 suit. Inspired by his success, Danderton grew wild with 
 enthusiasm. He laughed hysterically while tightening his 
 saddle girths, spoke in a hurried manner to his compan- 
 ions, instructing them meantime in regard to their conduct 
 in the anticipated conflict; "for," said he, while spring- 
 ing into his saddle, "the game is located." Then he let 
 the reins rest on his horse's neck and urged him to full 
 speed. The clatter of hoofs on the road accompanied by 
 a cloud of dust told conclusively that his assistants under- 
 stood what was required of them and were fully equal to the 
 "occasion. 
 
 Returning again to Rob Riddleton and Furflew, we 
 find, after leaving the village, the chief admonishing the 
 man of the necessity of steadiness in the saddle and swift- 
 ness of pace. There were fully twenty miles to be covered
 
 342 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 before reaching anything affording safety, and it was pos- 
 sible Rob's bold achievement might be discovered in the 
 meantime and proceedings be instituted looking towards 
 his arrest. 
 
 As for Furflew, he no longer possessed any sense of fear. 
 His idol was by his side, and therefore it would be profa- 
 nation to doubt his power in any extremity. Was he not 
 the spirit that responded so promptly to his call when on 
 eternity's brink? No other than Rob Riddleton could 
 have performed such a wonderful act. It seemed like 
 romance or impossibility. The glamour which encom- 
 passed Furflew's soul while witnessing this last achievement 
 promised to remain with him forever. First, it made him 
 dream in ecstasy, then voluble and high-spirited as if he 
 had become the proud possessor of half the world. He 
 raved about Rob, told him of Herondine's capture, of 
 Saracen Gay, and what splendid success that invariably 
 followed the exercise of ventriloquism, hypnotism, and 
 trick of the loop. 
 
 While laughing at Furflew's quaint humor, Riddleton 
 looked over his shoulder along a curve of the road on 
 which they had just passed, and behold ! at the extremity 
 of it, distant about two miles, he saw a dark mass coming 
 his way. Suddenly he became grave, gazing more intently 
 at this suspicious object. Gradually its true nature was 
 revealed. It consisted of a small body of horsemen riding 
 at full gallop, evidently charged with some important mis- 
 sion. "Ah ! " said Riddleton, half aloud, "they are pur- 
 suers, and we're the pursued!" Then he glanced at his 
 horse, patted him on the neck lovingly, gathered up the 
 slack parts of the bridle reins, and, saying to Furflew, 
 " Come," bent to the distance before him like a streak of
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 343 
 
 lightning. In vain Furflew attempted to keep in his com- 
 pany. After riding half a mile Rob came to the conclusion 
 he must either abandon the man or drop into the slow 
 movement of his horse and share his fate. This was a 
 very unfortunate predicament. Rob's own swift steed 
 could easily distance any animal on the road and carry him 
 safely to his destination ; but if he took advantage of these 
 noble traits of his horse, the object of his expedition would 
 end in failure and for the first time in this war he would be 
 obliged to acknowledge defeat. Riddleton could not 
 brook such disastrous conditions. He would, he thought, 
 carry his designs through to successful completion or die in 
 the attempt. Arriving at this conclusion, he wheeled his 
 horse to the right-about, galloped towards his pursuers, and 
 urged Furflew to greater expedition. 
 
 In order to make the man understand the situation, he 
 said, " The Rebs are on our track "; and, pointing in the 
 direction of the approaching horsemen, he continued, 
 " They are right here!" 
 
 Furflew whipped his horse into greater speed. While he 
 grew troubled as a consequence of hearing such unfavor- 
 able news, yet he did not lose faith in the power of his 
 guide. Smiling through his excitement, he answered : 
 
 "You're worth a score of 'em. You can lay 'em out by 
 the dozen, and don't you forget it." 
 
 It was at this time they approached a crisis. A short 
 distance ahead was a house whose appearance indicated that 
 'it was devoted to the business of refreshing travelers. All 
 parties viewed it with eager eyes. Danderton had gradually 
 lessened the distance between him and the Riddleton party. 
 He could behold the situation as his enemy reached the 
 vicinity of the house; and fearing lest aid might be furnished
 
 344 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 him for Missouri was not then known to belong to either 
 North or South he raised a rifle which had been secured 
 to the pommel of his saddle, aimed, and fared. Although 
 fully half a mile away, Riddleton's horse was seen to fall, 
 and his rider roll in the dust. 
 
 "We've got him," shouted Danderton, as he slackened 
 the pace of his horse so as to receive the congratulations of 
 his companions, who, besides according him well-merited 
 praise, cheered lustily. 
 
 When Rob Riddleton's horse fell he was within a hun- 
 dred feet of the house above mentioned. Rob was unhurt, 
 and, after a brief acquaintance with the soft dust of the 
 public highway, arose and ran forward vigorously. He did 
 this so as to direct Furflew how to act without the delay of 
 an instant, for he saw something that might probably render 
 them assistance. It was a two-horse team standing in front 
 of the hotel, harnessed to a light ambulance, and owned, 
 no doubt, by a person refreshing himself in the wayside 
 caravansary. Without a moment's hesitation he motioned 
 Furflew to take the team. This order was promptly obeyed, 
 Furflew jumping on to the box seat while Rob took posses- 
 sion of the center of the conveyance. What was their 
 astonishment and dismay on finding, while attempting to 
 drive, that the horses would not move. They were a pair 
 of balky animals just abandoned so as to give them time to 
 get rid of their irritability. At the door of the hostelry 
 stood the owner of the vehicle smiling at the discomfiture 
 of the men, and in no way angry at their conduct, for he 
 was well aware they could not drive off. Furflew whipped 
 the animals to no purpose ; but Rob, turning to the man at 
 the door, said, "I'll settle for this rig hereafter"; and the 
 person addressed, still holding to his first opinion, that the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 345 
 
 aforesaid rig could not be moved, nodded an assent. Then 
 Rob seized the reins and began the whistling of a melodi- 
 ous tune that attracted every ear and soothed every living 
 individuality within its range. It was loud without harsh- 
 ness, exceedingly rich in tone like the exquisite note of the 
 blackbird, and rolled into symphonies one after the other 
 until the listeners were charmed even into laughter. The 
 time, place, and the danger threatening them seemed only 
 to add to its fascination. The musical sounds rose and fell 
 on the atmosphere with a sweet cadence never heard previ- 
 ously in that neighborhood; and if it were not known to 
 a certainty that Riddleton was the operator, the men who 
 listened would have imagined the music had emanated from 
 the clear sky above them through some unaccountable 
 agency. As for Furflew's private opinions in the case, he 
 regarded this act of his chief as the greatest exhibition of 
 human skill in an emergency ever witnessed, and, more- 
 over, that it was far ahead of ventriloquism. The effects of 
 it on the horses were marvelous and instantaneous. From 
 the time the first notes struck their ears, the nervous attack 
 which afflicted them began to subside, and in twenty 
 seconds afterwards, at an encouraging word from Rob, 
 they bounded into the center of the highway and galloped 
 off. 
 
 The cheers that accompanied this wonderful feat had 
 scarcely died away when those of the pursuers were heard 
 with equal force and enthusiasm. It was seen that a con- 
 flict now was inevitable. Rob had no idea he could escape 
 by means of the ambulance ; he merely wanted to keep his 
 party together, as much under cover as possible, and to be 
 in motion while the battle raged. He knew how to cal- 
 culate chances and estimate the value of smallness whether
 
 346 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 it related to time, space, or incident. No sooner had he 
 gained success with the horses than he began to prepare for 
 battle. He secured the reins to the front of the wagon, 
 ordered Furflew to lie down in the deepest part of it, and 
 unloosed his pistols. Furflew pleaded to be permitted to 
 assist him ; but Rob felt he would perform more efficient 
 work single-handed, and replied that he wished to have his 
 orders obeyed. A glance at the back of the ambulance 
 revealed the temporary character of the covering some 
 thick glazed canvas, buttoned to the sides and capable of 
 being taken off in an instant. He undid the under fasten- 
 ings, placed his hand upon the upper ones, and was in the 
 act of detaching them also when an order from without 
 commanded him to halt. With a quick motion of his 
 hand he swept the canvas away and stood an instant facing 
 his enemies. Even in that short time he was not idle. 
 His hands sought his trusty weapons. There was a fierce 
 fire blazing in his eyes, and his brow became dark like an 
 angry sky at the coming of a storm. Danderton, who 
 was in front of his party, attempted to draw his pistol ; 
 but like a flash two bullets whizzed through the air from 
 Riddleton, one of which passed through Danderton's 
 body and the other through one of his men. Both fell 
 like saplings in the forest before the ax of the woodsman. 
 The two men left of Danderton's party bravely returned 
 the fire and seemed intent on continuing the pursuit. 
 
 " Go home ! " shouted Rob, discharging his pistols a 
 second time with that unerring certainty for which he was 
 remarkable ; and the men in question slid from their horses 
 into the highway dead or wounded. 
 
 "Furflew," said Rob, while he rearranged his weapons, 
 "we shall have cold chicken and a bottle of claret at the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 347 
 
 next station. Get up, old man ; what are you lingering 
 there for? One would imagine you wanted to go to 
 sleep. ' ' 
 
 "I could worship you," said Furflew as he scrambled 
 from his retreat and resumed his seat on the box. 
 
 Strange as it may appear, the balky horses traveled in 
 admirable style during the remaining part of that day, 
 carrying the party in the ambulance to the end of the 
 journey contemplated. 
 
 The report sent to the Southern authorities of this little 
 affair gave the loss at two killed and two wounded, Dan- 
 derton being among the killed. Riddleton was not hurt. 
 The property abandoned by him was taken charge of by 
 the hotel keeper and accounted for. On arriving at head- 
 quarters, the men were highly commended for their con- 
 duct and given a complimentary dinner, at which Rob 
 made a speech and Furflew exhibited his powers of ventril- 
 oquism. 
 
 In regard to future service, Furflew considered he had 
 performed enough for one man. Besides, the department 
 was engaging a large number of new men, and the first 
 year's campaign was practically at an end. He therefore 
 informed Rob Riddleton he wished to retire from active 
 duty so as to recuperate and enjoy the ease and security of 
 civil life. Rob considered the proposition favorably, and, 
 when he sent in his official report, recommended Furflew 
 to be accorded the privilege requested and a bounty for 
 his valuable services. These were accordingly given him, 
 and thus Furflew became possessor of a handsome sum of 
 money, which, when added to the savings from his pay, 
 would enable him to engage in commercial pursuits or 
 purchase a small country home.
 
 348 IN THE DEPTHS CF 
 
 As Riddleton was on his part going to take a month's 
 vacation, and the time had come to part company with his 
 trusty follower, he asked Furflew what he was going to do 
 as a civilian. 
 
 " Now that you remind me of it, Chief," said the man, 
 placing the right-hand forefinger against the side of his 
 head as if the touch implied the calling forth of great wis- 
 dom, " I'm going into the circus business. I can go 
 through half the performance myself, and I only need a few 
 more hands to fill the bill. Money? Why, there's barrels 
 of money in it ; and let me tell you, Chief, I'll get Sar- 
 acen Gay and Flappins to join hands with me. We'll 
 have the best show you ever saw. Saracen Gay is rich. 
 He could be master of the horse ringmaster while 
 Flappins was acting the bareback rider. They'll tumble to 
 it, you bet, when I meet 'em. Why, sir, I love a circus. 
 I'd have had one long ago if I'd had half a chance; but 
 now I'll catch on for all that's out." 
 
 Riddleton smiled at Furflew 1 s idea of happiness in civil 
 life ; and with pleasant thoughts on both sides the friends 
 parted. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 SHOWING THE DARK HAND. 
 
 WHIFTON'S return to Council Bluffs was hailed with 
 delight by the inhabitants. Short as had been 
 the time since his departure, a large number of people were 
 added to the population and several substantial improve- 
 ments made. Railroad men and speculators were giving 
 brisk prices for land. The town was remapped ; and with-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 349 
 
 out intentional irreverence it may be said also that it was 
 mobbed. Those who did not know Whifton personally 
 heard glowing accounts of his patriotism and knowledge. 
 When encountered on the main street he was called " Colo- 
 nel," and it was understood he had been wounded so 
 severely at Bull Run as to be incapacitated for further 
 service, although, to all appearances, he was stronger and 
 healthier than before. 
 
 From past experience in Western towns Whifton had 
 learned much of speculation, and he was satisfied the best 
 way of saving money was to invest it in city property. As 
 the amount to his credit was considerable, he took a hand 
 in the purchase of real estate, and thus became at once 
 identified with the progress and prosperity of Council Bluffs. 
 This settlement of his financial affairs, however, was only 
 the beginning of his good fortune. The citizens recognized 
 in him a representative man, one worthy of any position in 
 their gift, and at the first opportunity elected him justice of 
 the peace, which carried with it the title of "judge." 
 What he had dreamed of in early days reached him in 
 reality, and with it honor and fame and wealth. 
 
 It was seen by those who knew Whifton best, that, not- 
 withstanding his easy circumstances, he was beset by some 
 mental trouble, either a burden on his conscience or a secret 
 that could not be told. His abstraction was very marked. 
 He meditated deeply, hummed love songs occasionally, 
 and was heard to sigh like one in actual distress ; but, as he 
 never mentioned the causes of these peculiarities, it became 
 the general belief that his troubles were due to his "wound," 
 if not to the depth of his learning. To himself there was 
 no mystery in these strange visitations. His burden was 
 twofold the sustenance of his ideal love and the prose-
 
 350 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 cution of the commission given him by Hamilton Hitch. 
 There was no doubt his magnanimous conduct displayed in 
 the interests of Herondine brought him immense satisfac- 
 tion and chastened his spirit to such extent that he could 
 feel the presence of some divine principle moisten his eye- 
 lids before he slept at night ; but behold ! his feelings of 
 love increased until they became almost insupportable. 
 When he told Furflew that he had found love "salubrious," 
 he accounted only for the condition of his mind at that 
 time. Of the future he knew nothing, nor of the charac- 
 ter of love that is fostered and fed for years beyond the 
 period prescribed by nature in which its functions are legit- 
 imate and necessary. He did not calculate on the love 
 that consumes body and soul as if encompassed by mysteri- 
 ous fires, that strikes the heart with as sure an aim as if 
 directed by fate, and gradually lessens the vital forces of 
 the victim until relieved by insanity and death ; yet some- 
 thing akin to this fearful visitant seemed to confront him. 
 When he first began to study its true intent he was a pros- 
 perous citizen, but it made him tremble as if the shadow 
 of death had come to him knowingly. He made no 
 attempt to escape from it, but, like a true votary, clung 
 with reverence and adoration to its peculiar sensations, 
 whose intensity was certain to bring his life to a premature 
 close. 
 
 If the good, the grand, and the beautiful created such a 
 menace to the life of Whifton on the one hand, oh, what 
 must have been the threatening aspect of the conditions 
 imposed by Hamilton Hitch on the other, which would 
 bring all that was virtuous in him to degradation and make 
 him hate the hour he was born ! Again he accused himself 
 of lack of wisdom, adding these words: "If we misuse
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 351 
 
 goodness, it is as bad as anything else. It is really so. The 
 powers that surround love keep guard over it, and will 
 strike if you come too close. That's what's the matter 
 with me." He stood between two colossal difficulties, like 
 one in a dark canyon with little to aid his escape and fully 
 conscious of his predicament. It might be thought possi- 
 ble to evade compliance with the terms of the contract 
 with Hamilton Hitch now that Whifton was among friends ; 
 but he knew that to trifle with the secret conclave of the 
 masked lodge was to trifle with his own life : besides, the 
 Confederacy was growing in strength and power, and who 
 could tell what the end would be? Whifton was full of 
 resources, for, as is well known, he possessed a far-reaching 
 imagination. He began work on the contract problem. 
 He would, he thought, perform something, however unsat- 
 isfactory it might prove to be, and take risks on the balance. 
 As it was with his love, so would it be with his lodge. He 
 would look upon it in a mental panorama and decorate 
 its several departments with a full measure of the ideal. In 
 other words, he would institute a mock lodge and call it a 
 real one. With this end in view he arranged one of his 
 rooms to represent a hall, placed books upon the seats as 
 officers, and went through all the forms prescribed in the 
 by-laws for a genuine meeting. In the inner chamber he 
 presided personally over the destinies of the novitiate, 
 heard imaginary requests, and bestowed the customary 
 favors. After every detail had been attended to, he made 
 his report to the chief at Richmond. His statement was 
 explicit, yet so guarded in the phraseology as to be under- 
 stood only by the party for whom it was intended. This 
 account of Whifton's proved satisfactory to Hamilton 
 Hitch, and, it may be added, to Whifton himself. It was
 
 352 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 as real as the burial of Herondine, having everything in it 
 with the exception of the most essential factor. Indeed it 
 may be remarked in passing that such is the character of 
 many an enterprise whose projectors never, perhaps, fully 
 understand the causes of failure. 
 
 With the return mail came newspapers from Richmond 
 announcing the commission of a great robbery. Whifton 
 trembled on seeing the heading, for he concluded the 
 masked lodge was beginning to exhibit the " dark hand," 
 as the nefarious practice of thieving might appropriately be 
 called. 
 
 The robbery mentioned was a most daring one, executed 
 in broad daylight, having scores of people as witnesses; 
 yet not only did the robbers escape, but no trace whatever 
 could be found of their place of concealment. The gen- 
 eral public where the criminal act had taken place were 
 astounded at the boldness of its character. Nothing like 
 it was ever known to occur in that neighborhood at any 
 previous time, and some conjectured that it must have been 
 executed by the enemy. The detectives engaged on the 
 case followed up two or three clews without success ; and 
 after the expenditure of a great amount of conjecture, fuss, 
 and movement, the daring deed had to be reckoned among 
 the crimes of the unknown. Whifton received an account 
 of the principal incidents in cipher from Hamilton Hitch, 
 but, of course, was obliged to keep it secret as he valued 
 his life, and long afterwards learned its entire history. 
 
 Sternbeard, captain of the outside guard, drew up the 
 plan, and Greenlaugh selected two men to execute it, 
 besides giving substantial aid on his own part. The person 
 from whom the money was stolen was a contractor who 
 had been engaged to furnish a portion of the army with
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 353 
 
 supplies, the amount involved being thirty thousand dol- 
 lars. Greenlaugh had ascertained the time when payment 
 would be made, and was actually present when the robbers 
 got off with the booty. The contractor was his " friend," 
 a member of the social set into which Greenlaugh had 
 insinuated himself at an early date on the representation 
 that his Northern relatives were rich and in sympathy with 
 the Confederacy. Some of the other arrangements of the 
 deeply laid plot were as follows. The wife of one of the 
 gang was sent into the city to rent a house. She was to 
 pay in advance a month's rent, get in a few articles of 
 furniture, and begin housekeeping after the manner of 
 other wives. The first week's washing to be hung out was 
 to consist of two towels, a dishcloth, a nightcap, a check 
 apron, and a pocket handkerchief, not to speak of larger 
 and more pretentious articles. She was to inform the 
 inquisitive neighbors that her husband and her brother 
 were blacksmiths by trade soon to arrive in the city, and 
 expected government work. Care should be observed that 
 the house be situated in a locality inhabited by business 
 men, for, as is well known, such places are generally 
 deserted the most part of each working day, the men being 
 engaged at their business houses, while their wives are 
 visiting or shopping. After this part had been carefully 
 attended to, a couple of men were detailed for the princi- 
 pal work. They were, of course, properly disguised, hav- 
 ing been dressed in workingmen's clothing. Some arti- 
 ficial abrasions were placed on their faces and they carried 
 masks to be used at the last moment. One of these men 
 hired a horse and an express wagon at a livery stable, the 
 nearest that could be found to the rented house ; and 
 started for the scene of action at the appointed time.
 
 354 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 After receiving the money, which was in Confederate 
 notes, the contractor and his friend Greenlaugh stepped 
 into a street car for the purpose of depositing the treasure 
 in bank. The highwaymen were prompt in following. 
 The masks were on. The men drew their pistols and 
 demanded the money. The contractor, who loved his life 
 much better than war, became stupefied at the presentation, 
 but Greenlaugh protested loudly against the action of the 
 robbers. For this interference he was felled to the floor 
 of the car by a blow ; but, of course, the scene had been 
 prearranged for effect, and he was not hurt. When he 
 scrambled to his feet the road agents had decamped with 
 the money. Still Greenlaugh acted with consummate 
 pretension to rectitude. Standing an instant at the door, 
 he cried out, "Stop them! stop them!" and fired two 
 shots from his revolver. At this juncture a great crowd 
 surrounded the car. Policemen and newspaper reporters 
 came up in dozens and got the facts from the parties con- 
 cerned. The passengers were so much frightened that they 
 slunk away through the crowd sooner than relate what they 
 had witnessed. 
 
 In the meantime no one followed the robbers. They 
 drove off in the express wagon as if they had come out on a 
 picnic. They were actually out of sight, having doubled a 
 corner, when Greenlaugh fired. In any case they would 
 not have been hit, because there was nothing in the pistol 
 at the time of discharge but blank cartridges. After half a 
 dozen windings through the streets the robbers were safe. 
 During the following ten minutes they left the wagon in 
 front of the livery stable, having previously paid for it, 
 and dropped quietly into the house where the woman had 
 the first week's washing on the clotheslines and was ex-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 355 
 
 peeling the arrival of her husband and her brother, the 
 blacksmiths. As a matter of fact, no one saw them enter 
 the house, and they were therefore as safe from arrest as if 
 buried under a mountain. They left no trace, suspicion, 
 or clew by which the officers of the law could reach them 
 in their hiding place. Besides, they were domiciled in a 
 "high-toned " neighborhood. A policeman searching for 
 criminals there, instead of finding anything of the kind 
 would probably lose his star for his pains. Where the 
 robbers were not, however, there was great activity in 
 searching for them. For miles beyond the city limits the 
 country was "scoured," and several arrests were made. 
 Tramps found loitering around saloons in the city were 
 critically scrutinized, and if the least doubt existed in the 
 mind of the guardian of the law regarding their honesty 
 they were " run " into headquarters in order to show the 
 efficiency of the work then in progress. Nothing was left 
 undone to capture the robbers excepting their actual cap- 
 ture, which to some of those engaged in the pursuit would 
 be the most deplorable thing of all. 
 
 One noticeable feature of the case was the eulogy printed 
 in the newspapers on the conduct of Greenlaugh. He was 
 described as " fighting the highwaymen single-handed for 
 fully twenty minutes, lodging three bullets in one of them 
 and two in the other, and would have brought them both 
 down if it had not been for the crowd." All the journal- 
 istic notices of the robbery agreed in asserting that if the 
 destinies of the South were in the hands of such able men 
 as Captain Greenlaugh success would unquestionably fol- 
 low. Such is the judgment of the world. 
 
 The robbers remained for three days in the house secured 
 for them, feasting on the best the markets afforded, reading
 
 356 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 thrilling accounts of the robbery in the daily press, and 
 playing cards in the intervals. The supplies necessary for 
 the occasion were ordered by the woman and delivered at 
 the door in the usual manner. She was a cash customer, 
 with a smile of happy innocence on her face, and therefore 
 could command all the services available in the make-up 
 of six delivery wagons, including horses, drivers, and 
 assistants. Nothing in the appearance of the house indi- 
 cated disturbance or criminality. The blinds were up ; 
 the glass of the windows clean ; the woman appeared fre- 
 quently on the front porch, ostensibly to sweep the dust 
 off its surface, but in reality to establish the idea in the 
 public mind that everything under her jurisdiction was 
 legal or businesslike ; the smoke from the chimney curled 
 upward in as graceful-looking wreaths as if they emanated 
 from the most aristocratic smokestack in the neighborhood; 
 and the odor of beefsteak frying through a heavy margin 
 of chopped onions often made the passer-by turn with 
 delight towards the place and linger longingly a fen- 
 moments in its shade. When public excitement began to 
 subside, the transfer of the two men from the hiding place 
 to their quarters was safely made. When it was dark the 
 woman ran them over in a dogcart. Next morning she 
 summoned a secondhand furniture dealer to apprize and 
 carry off the household goods, and delivered the key to the 
 owner of the house with the information that her calcula- 
 tions had miscarried and she was obliged to move. The 
 landlord did not seem the least disturbed by such a trifle, 
 it had occurred so often before ; and as he had pocketed 
 one month's rent in advance, therefore she was free to 
 return to her original home without further tax or question 
 of any kind.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 357 
 
 When the members of the outside and inside guard 
 assembled thereafter in secret session under the observant 
 eye of Hamilton Hitch, great indeed was the rejoicing. 
 There was a jollification such as is rarely enjoyed either 
 by civilians or soldiers. In the technical phraseology of 
 epicures there was a " spread " a supper consisting of the 
 choicest viands procurable and old wines whose flavor 
 seemed to indicate that they had been fortified in some 
 lone paradise near the setting sun amid rose-tinted light, 
 perfume, and flowers. Excitement ran high. It could be 
 seen that the glare in the men's eyes resembled that of 
 savages, modified, however, by the presentation of good 
 cheer and the further prospect of sharing a division of the 
 spoils. Some of them ground their teeth from excess of 
 pleasure. 
 
 The spirit of the occasion, however, was exhibited in 
 Hamilton Hitch. He resembled a god, and with the 
 addition of a few extra touches could easily represent the 
 archfiend. He wore over his shoulders a cape of black 
 cloth trimmed with fur and secured at the neck by a 
 golden clasp. A star on each breast made of polished 
 gold glittered at every movement and commanded attention 
 through the fascination of a deep, rich glow which touched 
 the heart of the beholder. Every look of the man, his 
 movements, manner, and language, spoke eloquently of 
 his triumph over good society, and pointed towards his 
 individual cleverness. He fairly reveled in fame. Nothing 
 transpired throughout the whole proceedings of the rob- 
 bery to interfere in the least degree with its success a 
 circumstance heretofore unknown in connection with such 
 cases and, as a matter of course, the credit of it was due 
 to him first and to Sternbeard next for attending to the
 
 358 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 correct mapping of the details. Nor was Greenlaugh left 
 unnoticed. Hamilton Hitch took occasion to speak of 
 him in glowing terms, pointing out specially the cleverness 
 displayed by him throughout the very difficult part he had 
 to perform, and every man present cheered lustily to show 
 his appreciation of his merits. 
 
 Sternbeard and Greenlaugh sat side by side at the supper 
 table. While they appeared interested occasionally in the 
 remarks of others, the drift of their own conversation lay 
 between themselves. Greenlaugh was a great talker, while, 
 on the other hand, Sternbeard excelled in listening. 
 Greenlaugh magnified small things, showing the light 
 character of his intelligence, and hence he clattered for 
 hours on a subject that an ordinary conversationalist could 
 sum up in ten minutes. He appeared to possess the rare 
 gift also of conducting two processes of the mind at the 
 same time listening to the conversation of another and 
 speaking on his own account, although it might be doubted 
 if the first of these was really anything but pretense. He 
 possessed a restless soul, like one stung into activity by 
 hereditary meanness or acquired evil whose virulence kept 
 it eternally in motion. As an instance of this, it may be 
 pointed out that while all his companions had resigned 
 themselves to the pleasures of the hour Greenlaugh was 
 whispering into the ear of Sternbeard the terms of a new 
 plot. This was no other than the introduction of a bunko 
 game among the men so as to win their money. Stern- 
 beard listened to the proposition with much gravity, as if 
 the solution of an intricate problem had quenched the fire 
 of his mirth, but his cold heart nevertheless quickened its 
 pulsations on reflecting how easily and without offense the 
 treasure could be secured in the manner described. As a
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 359 
 
 further inducement favorable to the scheme, Greenlaugh 
 represented that they could employ two of the men to con- 
 duct the game at a fair rate of compensation, and divide 
 the great bulk of the gains among themselves. He said 
 there were a couple of poker players in his guard on whom 
 they could depend for secrecy and to whom he had already 
 spoken on the subject. These men had been notorious 
 sharps in civil life, as well as being pals; and if there was 
 anything more than another for which they were distin- 
 guished, it was that they sold out, deceived, and robbed 
 their associates whenever a favorable opportunity presented 
 itself a trait of character seldom found even among 
 thieves. On this account they were reckoned the most 
 dangerous men in the whole crowd. Furthermore they 
 acted as spies on the conduct of their companions, often 
 giving secret information to the captains concerning some 
 of the men that was actually false, so as to promote 
 prejudice and enmity that might possibly be turned to 
 future use against them. Of these two underlings the 
 man named Lorraf was Greenlaugh's favorite. He was 
 diminutive in size, but offset this deficiency by being 
 a most despicable criminal. The last act he performed 
 before quitting home was to rob his mother an inci- 
 dent so heartless that ordinary mortals who read of it 
 wondered why he was not stricken dead by lightning. 
 Still he was the confidential man of Greenlaugh, and the 
 person who stood first in his esteem, if the estimate of the 
 fellow could be called such. Rinz, the other man, was 
 tamer in his iniquity. In conversing with people, he made 
 an attempt to reason, and ordinarily he was polite ; but 
 theft in any shape or under any circumstances was con- 
 genial to him. Both men were gray ; furthermore they
 
 360 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 possessed the bulldog characteristic features of thugs, and 
 hated with all the strength in their possession the appear- 
 ance or presence of a good man. Sternbeard having 
 favored the scheme sketched by Greenlaugh, it was further 
 agreed to obtain the permission of the chief, so as to legal- 
 ize the transaction. In making the formal application, 
 Greenlaugh represented that the men desired the privilege 
 of playing their favorite games, to which Hamilton Hitch 
 made no objection, as he saw there would be no infringe- 
 ment on any of his rules ; besides, gambling bore so close 
 a relationship to theft that he was rather inclined to en- 
 courage its practice. 
 
 When the sumptuous repast ended there was a division 
 made of the money. Three of the men with musical instru- 
 ments played favorite airs during the distribution, making 
 the occasion one to be long remembered. Hamilton Hitch 
 retired early. His share of the booty amounted to one 
 fifth of the whole, and it was his wish to gloat over this 
 new acquisition alone, where he might chuckle or laugh to 
 his heart's content. The captains withdrew to the sitting 
 room of Greenlaugh after giving all the necessary instruc- 
 tions, and the men engaged in play. 
 
 At midnight Greenlaugh looked into the common hall 
 where the men were congregated, and found that the poker 
 players had piles of the bills in their possession. Stealing 
 back to his apartment, for he feared to tread heavily on 
 the floor lest the noise should disturb the conditions of 
 success then fully apparent, he stated the facts to Sternbeard, 
 when both retired to rest. 
 
 The men played until the gray light of morning began 
 to appear at the windows, then whatever remained unfin- 
 ished was postponed until the next evening. Lorraf arose
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 361 
 
 from one table and Rinz from another, winners of all the 
 money gambled during the night, amounting in the aggre- 
 gate to about ten thousand dollars. The losers dropped 
 off one by one and went to sleep without a murmur. 
 Some would have been content with the supper without 
 money, while a few suspected that one or more of the men 
 in authority was at the bottom of the game as an instigator. 
 These soreheaded fellows determined to keep close watch. 
 If there was to be any crookedness, they too would take 
 a hand, and woe betide their opponents when they came 
 to play the new game. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 A STRANGE COMPROMISE. 
 
 THERE is a striking similarity between a great military 
 campaign and mankind in general : at every rounded 
 period or skirmish some one drops out for aye. Besides 
 Whifton and Furflew, whose retirement to civil life has 
 been already noted, Herondine found it necessary to sever 
 connection with the secret service and return home. The 
 strain upon his nervous system during his incarceration in 
 prison and subsequent trial, where even the semblance of 
 justice did not appear, went far towards paralyzing his 
 energies, and demanded a long period of rest. His wife, 
 the beautiful Grace Herondine, had also suffered severely. 
 It was evident if anxiety for her husband's welfare contin- 
 ued she would probably contract some nervous disease, and 
 therefore another reason presented itself urging Herondine 
 to accompany her into the seclusion of private life. The 
 authorities in Washington, fully alive to the importance of
 
 362 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 the services rendered by Herondine, readily agreed to his 
 wishes, and furthermore conferred on him the title of brevet 
 brigadier general. 
 
 This settlement of the career of a great character enables 
 us to invite the attention of the reader 10 the continuation 
 of the history of Whifton. Notwithstanding his physical 
 disability, he studied law while a justice of the peace and 
 was admitted to the bar. Still the two great troubles of 
 his life weighed mercilessly upon him, threatening total 
 extinction. The physicians consulted in the case were in 
 a quandary regarding his ailment, for they did not agree 
 with the opinion of his friends that it was due to the effects 
 of his former wounds. In obscure cases of this kind it is 
 safe to prescribe change of air; so Whifton was recom- 
 mended to go east. This advice was agreeable to him, for 
 he imagined, after considerable reflection, he could do a great 
 deal on his own account to settle the difficulty. His plan 
 was to consult Furflew. If learned men like the doctors, 
 he thought, did not know how to stop his " decline," as he 
 termed his illness, perhaps nonprofessionals would have 
 better success. Who knew so much of the world, for 
 instance, as Furflew ? None that he was acquainted with. 
 He had heard Saracen Gay call him "Professor." Did 
 not that indicate that he knew almost everything. Furflew 
 also was the only person to whom was communicated the 
 facts regarding his, Whifton's, ideal love, and on such 
 premises, no doubt, the man might possibly be able to 
 prescribe a remedy. Besides, Furflew had been the com- 
 panion of Herondine, the man of all others who had won 
 the heart of Grace Finnestare by nothing short of the 
 supremacy of knowledge. Therefore he had laid down the 
 lines on which he would travel in quest of relief.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 363 
 
 Traveling to Washington leisurely, he found on his 
 arrival the city filled with strangers, and vast preparations 
 in progress for continuing the war. The most astonishing 
 circumstance, however, that occurred during his first per- 
 ambulation through the national capitol was the ease with 
 which he discovered the man he sought. On every avail- 
 able space designed for the display of placards could be 
 seen the important announcement, "Bannister Furflew's 
 Great Circus Is Here." "Great circus!" reiterated 
 Whifton in surprise. " What wonderful luck that man was 
 born to ! It is really so. I suppose he has a heart as light 
 as a bird." While in this mood Whifton soon found 
 where the circus was located, and there, near the front 
 entrance, he met his friend. 
 
 Furflew was dressed in flashy clothes. He exhibited also 
 a golden chain and locket, several rings on his fingers, and 
 a diamond stud in the breast of his shirt. At a distance 
 he appeared superb, especially in view of his assumed air 
 of superiority; but on a closer inspection his swarthy coun- 
 tenance brought him down to the original level. Besides 
 this, the deep lines on his neck, the lusterless gleam of the 
 eye, the lank gray hair and the partly shrunken frame 
 gave evidence that other battles besides those of war had 
 come to him and left him a loser. 
 
 Knowing there were several hours available before the 
 commencement of the afternoon performance at the circus, 
 the friends adjourned to Furflew's box office, which stood 
 at the right of the main entrance, so as to compare notes 
 on their respective situations. In reply to an inquiry as to 
 how he liked the circus business, Furflew replied : 
 
 "There's money in it. As for liking, I'm never tired 
 in the circus ring. I do the juggling and the best part of
 
 364 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 the farce where ventriloquism is shown off. The people 
 laugh a great deal, and I enjoy it. I have your friend Sar- 
 acen Gay, and Flappins also. Gay appears in the farce in 
 a fantastic dress, that pleases him, and his man is my bare- 
 back rider. In a year I calculate on stowing away about 
 fifty thousand dollars as my share. You see how it is : 
 people are coming in here every day, either as volunteers 
 for the army or on one pretext or another, and they all 
 want a little amusement. I saw the chance and took it. 
 That's all there's to it." 
 
 Whifton referring to the character of his patrons, Fur- 
 flew answered : 
 
 "All kinds come ; and, by the bye, I had a lady here 
 a short time ago who was well known to our friend Heron- 
 dine. In fact, it was at her house he roomed when in 
 Charleston. She was a widow known then as Mrs. Whirl- 
 ston, but is just married a second time and on her wedding 
 tour. I forgot to ask the name of her husband. Then she 
 told me about her daughter Cynthia. Instead of marrying 
 Tuppins, a man that waited on her for years, she goes to 
 work and runs off with a painter who struck the town only 
 about two weeks before. They got married, of course ; 
 but look at the ingenuity of the thing ! Tuppins is still 
 working with a farmer as if nothing had happened to 
 bother him." 
 
 Suddenly the two men turned to the subject of Heron- 
 dine's escape. Furflew, who was vain enough to imagine 
 he knew everything pertaining to the war since secession, 
 pleaded want of knowledge in the present case, while 
 Whifton, rapidly reviewing the incidents in his mind, felt 
 he must keep them secret. Hence when Furflew said of 
 Herondine, " He could never have got away if he hadn't
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 365 
 
 had powerful backing," Whifton promptly answered, "It 
 is really so." 
 
 "And now about yourself," continued Furflew. "You're 
 looking somewhat under the weather, old man. What did 
 you run against ? or were you so badly hurt that you can- 
 not get over it? " 
 
 Whifton, pausing before making reply, answered : 
 
 " My wound dates back before the war. Don't you 
 remember what I told you about the ideal and the tangible, 
 the lady I loved in secret and the good I imagined it 
 brought me? " 
 
 "Why, yes, I often tried to recall the word that you 
 said suited me, but could not to save my life. How did 
 you get hit ? " 
 
 " The feeling increased until it rests like a great weight 
 on my heart." 
 
 Furflew, with a gleam of humor in his eye, remarked : 
 
 " How odd that the two of us should come out about 
 equal you struck in the heart and I in the ribs and on the 
 head! The ideal brought you a dead weight just as the 
 what-you-may-call-'em brought it to me." 
 
 "What made me come here," resumed Whifton seri- 
 ously, " was actually to consult you in the case. Your 
 knowledge of the world is so wonderful, I thought perhaps 
 you could not miss knowing what would relieve me." 
 
 Furflew seemed flattered by this language. He coughed, 
 while looking into the distance, with an air of self-impor- 
 tance, as if he meditated consulting some mysterious oracle 
 suspended in the atmosphere or otherwise. 
 
 " What did the doctors do for you? " be asked. 
 
 " The first told me quinine was necessary ; the second 
 recommended salts for fifteen consecutive mornings; the
 
 366 IN 7 HE DEPTHS OF 
 
 third, blisters; the fourth, that I should go to the springs; 
 the fifth, to stay at home ; the sixth, powdered pumpkin 
 seed ; and so on until I came to the last, the change-of-air 
 man." 
 
 " Now that I think of it," said Furflew wisely, "you can 
 join our company and get cured right away by having a 
 good laugh once in a while. We can make a place for 
 you if you have no objection. Start in to lead the big 
 elephant! " 
 
 "Why," responded Whifton, "I'm a lawyer, and you 
 know it would never do to be found in such company." 
 
 "Oh!" resumed Furflew laughing, "that alters the 
 case ; for if the elephant knew of it, he'd back out for sure. ' ' 
 
 However to come down to the bed rock of the thing 
 if I can't do anything for you myself, I know who can. I 
 always found him handy when I was in trouble ; and he'll 
 be the same to you, because he loves to do good." 
 
 "Ain't he a doctor? " inquired Whifton, for the philan- 
 thropic character given the man rather confused his thoughts 
 on the subject. 
 
 "Naw," returned Furflew contemptuously, "but he 
 ain't the worse on that account. He read above 'em, all 
 round 'em, and crosswise; so you can see how much he 
 knows." 
 
 After further discourse concerning the extraordinary 
 ability of his benefactor, Furflew gradually approached his 
 identity. 
 
 "First and last, he was my best friend," he resumed. 
 "Twice he saved my life, and between times I learned 
 more from him than I ever could from a dictionary or an 
 almanac. After losing Herondine I joined him but you 
 must have heard before of Rob Riddleton. Now, Whif,
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 367 
 
 I tell you the best thing on the cards. We'll just take a 
 run up to him and settle the matter in half an hour. 
 Fortune favors us ; for he came to the city yesterday, and 
 I know exactly where to find him." 
 
 Whifton had heard of the celebrated scout, but was at a 
 loss to understand why this fame should make him skilled 
 in the diagnosis of obscure complaints and the application 
 of remedies suited to their requirements. Noting this 
 apparent inconsistency, Furflew replied : 
 
 " He'll tell you of the thing on common-sense grounds. 
 That's all we want. I could go the length myself and hope 
 to make a purty fair job ; but you must be sure before 
 making any change. Riddleton is our man." 
 
 After rendering this decision with as much emphasis as 
 if he were addressing the big elephant in the circus ring, 
 Furflew descended the steps of the box office and repaired 
 to his dogcart and piebald horse, hitched to a post in the 
 vicinity of the circus for his convenience, and into which 
 he invited Whifton. Driving uptown, Furflew found he 
 had risen to the importance of a celebrity ; for a number 
 of small boys accompanied by dogs followed his rig, and 
 some of the urchins speculated quite audibly as to the 
 position likely to be assigned the new man, Whifton, whose 
 diminutive form had not been previously noticed in the 
 circus establishment. 
 
 At the hotel Furflew had little difficulty in reaching the 
 presence of Riddleton. The noted scout received his 
 former assistant with cordial expressions of friendship, and 
 assured him he was ready to render him any service in his 
 power. Without making any reply to this kind invitation, 
 Furflew placed before his former chief two complimentary 
 tickets for reserved seats in the circus, and " hoped," as he
 
 368 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 said, "of proving in front of him the value of jugglery 
 and ventriloquism," to which Rob pleasantly replied that 
 he would probably look into his crib, the circus, before 
 leaving town. Then with a great show of mystery Furflew 
 introduced Whifton, and the preliminary statement of his 
 peculiar case. Rob was amused, as well as flattered, by 
 Furflew's great faith in his judgment, and listened with 
 grave attention to the details so as to get at the essential 
 points, the better to render a just decision. He also ques- 
 tioned Whifton, who answered promptly and without 
 reservation on all subjects excepting the name and posi- 
 tion of the lady of his love. These he would ever keep 
 secret. When all the information was in, Rob spoke as 
 one who had been inspired with a full knowledge of the 
 truth. He began by saying : 
 
 "You must compromise." 
 
 Furflew, who was seated near Whifton in front of the 
 speaker, said blandly : 
 
 "I knew it. You must compromise. " 
 
 Riddleton continued : 
 
 " Should you adhere to the original design of loving the 
 ideal without reservation, you shall die a premature death. 
 People sometimes call it death by means of a broken heart. 
 The reason of this is obvious : you invade the line of the 
 law as laid down in the universe for the regulation of love, 
 all its requirements not being fulfilled, and hence the 
 counterpoise contemplated by them never appears. It is 
 not recommended that you turn away wholly from your 
 ideal, but merely adopt such means as may remove your 
 physical suffering, with the chances in your favor of restor- 
 ing you again to good health. This remedy is found in 
 marriage. It constitutes what I have called the ' compro-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 369 
 
 mise.' While it is not a union with your love, it is, never- 
 theless, a step further than where you are now in the direc- 
 tion demanded by nature." 
 
 At the word "marriage ' ' Furflew and Whifton exchanged 
 glances, and groaned audibly. Furflew especially seemed 
 rattled, for he remembered having given Whifton the result 
 of his experience with the dreaded condition as a warning, 
 so as to induce him to continue a single life. 
 
 "I am giving you the cure," continued Rob, "not my 
 individual opinion. Prepare to carry it into execution, 
 because it will prolong your life." 
 
 The silence following this speech reminded the visitors 
 it was time to leave; so, after offering their patron profuse 
 thanks for his valuable advice, they departed. When they 
 reached the street and regained the cart, Furflew seemed 
 very much dissatisfied. 
 
 " How I'm disappointed in that man ! " he said gravely. 
 
 "For my part," returned Whifton, "I consider him 
 very wise and very learned. It is really so. I feel it in my 
 bones he has told the truth." 
 
 "It is not what I expected," resumed his companion 
 curtly. " Why should he at this time of day tell you to 
 get married, after all my experience before your eyes and 
 when I calculated curing you myself through the dint of 
 good times with the circus." 
 
 Whifton was inclined to smile at this reasoning, but re- 
 frained from showing any signs of amusement lest it should 
 offend his friend. He remarked, however : 
 
 " I would travel the same journey again for the same in- 
 formation. It is really so." 
 
 This emphatic affirmation convinced Furflew that Whif- 
 ton had been juggled into the unholy belief of which he
 
 370 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 was then possessed. "Now, this is what I call real hyp- 
 notism," he said mentally "a man to be brought over in 
 an instant from the side he was standing on before for 
 years." Then he added aloud: 
 
 " Well, I am glad, old boy, I put you on the right track. 
 If ever you regret the new change, if ever you have to 
 skip, as I did, remember the elephant job is open to you !" 
 
 Soon after this conversation the men parted, with many 
 expressions of friendship that would endure and hopes of a 
 future meeting when everybody had become happy. 
 
 Whifton returned home deeply impressed with a belief 
 in the efficacy of the compromise. It was remarked when 
 he reappeared on the street that he held his head high, 
 stepped briskly over the street crossings, and tittered at 
 every silly expression within hearing distance as if he were 
 in full accord with its deficiencies and significance. These 
 signs made people shake their heads in a mysterious man- 
 ner, many asserting there was "something in the wind," 
 while deeper thinkers were ready to guarantee that a turning 
 point in Whifton's life was approaching. When, however, 
 it transpired that he intimated his intention of occupying 
 one of his own houses and buying furniture, he advanced 
 immediately from being the subject of innuendo to that of 
 table talk and finally became the talk of the town. He did 
 not disguise his intentions regarding matrimony; and the 
 publicity given them, therefore, harmonized with his 
 wishes. One of the vagaries of society, however, coming 
 under his observation at this time caused him no little sur- 
 prise, as well as that it created a difficulty in his way never 
 anticipated. When the truth became fully established that 
 he was no longer in the field, but on the market, where his 
 individual liberty was to be exchanged for the blessings
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 371 
 
 showered on the life of a married man, he was assailed by 
 a vast quantity of mail matter from the four principal 
 sections of the city, in which could be enumerated almost 
 every class of human beings rich and poor. Among these 
 missives were invitations to dinners, luncheons, lawn par- 
 ties, tea parties, suppers, socials, hops, and private theatri- 
 cals by the dozen. Nor were these the only evidences of 
 his progressive situation. The street where he resided was 
 also an object of interest to the public, with such favorable 
 results that it became a fashionable promenade. Of course, 
 it would never be insinuated here that this selection had 
 been stimulated by the desire of any one particular class to 
 view Whifton's property, or remotely Whifton himself; 
 but his own experience appeared to be that he counted on 
 one occasion among the promenaders fourteen eligible 
 widows, nine grass widows, twenty-one old maids of retir- 
 ing aspect, thirty-seven new women, and scores of others 
 married and single. 
 
 Whimpering to himself, Whifton remarked: "It is de- 
 cidedly evident the ' compromise ' is full of attractions, 
 when one meets all this at the very door. I had no idea 
 the market was so well stocked. Look at me with one 
 foot a' most in the grave, diminutive, ill-looking, prone to 
 oddities and special diet, and thought by some Eastern 
 people fit only to lead the big elephant in a circus. Not- 
 withstanding all this, I can select a wife from the ranks of 
 beauty, worth, and even wealth to my heart's content. 
 Oh ! it is a beautiful provision, no matter who gives it or 
 how it comes." 
 
 Whifton went to visit at the residence of a rich farmer 
 whose place lay on the suburbs of the city and who kept a 
 hog ranch. The only daughter, who doted on title or
 
 372 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 fame of any kind, encouraged the judge's visits and always 
 agreed with whatever view of a subject he chose to take. 
 This species of flattery, or, as some uncharitable persons 
 would call it, "soft soap," soon had its effect on Whifton. 
 How he reasoned on the case it is not now necessary to 
 mention, but he saw enough to convince him he would not 
 be rejected; so he made the important proposition, which 
 resulted favorably, and was married. Strange as it may 
 appear, Whifton's physical ailments, and through them the 
 mental ones, gradually improved, and in a short time it was 
 apparent to everybody he would fully recover his health. 
 
 The war went on without him. 
 
 While the thunders of great battles were heard beyond 
 the horizon, he wrestled with the difficulties of law on the 
 one hand and family cares on the other. 
 
 Children were born to him as if, like European princes, 
 the government were ready and willing to appropriate im- 
 mense sums of money for their support. The Whiftons 
 grew in numbers, importance, and respectability. They 
 lived well in magnificent quarters, and were accounted val- 
 uable members of society. Did he ever think of his ideal 
 love ? Oh, yes ! It was yet in his inner heart, but obscured 
 and growing less, like the sun when he sinks to his rest, 
 leaving in the western sky traces of the glory which sur- 
 rounded him here a beautiful memento, brilliant enough 
 to be a companion of, and to mingle with, the stars.
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 373 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 SEEKING THE OLD LAIR. 
 
 '"TT^HE Pottawattaraie County hospital, located in the 
 J_ suburbs of Council Bluffs, received into one of its 
 wards, about the close of the war, a patient whom none of 
 the attendants could recognize as belonging to the city. 
 A farmer carrying some produce to market found him in 
 a helpless condition on the roadside, and charitably carried 
 him in where he would receive proper attention. The inci- 
 dent in itself was commonplace, for, unfortunately, such 
 scenes occur with unremitting frequency in public insti- 
 tutions of this kind ; but beneath the exterior forms of it, 
 in the present instance, there lurked a hideous tale of one 
 who had fought the world for mastery in the character of 
 a criminal and had suffered woeful defeat. The patient, 
 unconscious at the time of admission, revived under judi- 
 cious appliances and careful nursing. It was found by the 
 attending physician that the man had been shot in the 
 left arm, that in consequence he had suffered from debility 
 aggravated by exposure, and that it was as likely as not he 
 would die. When his speech became audible, for he mut- 
 tered a good deal, mentioning the name of Judge Whifton, 
 it was concluded that he wished to obtain the services of a 
 justice of the peace so as to make an ante-mortem state- 
 ment. Hence a message sent to the Judge with the facts 
 brought him in due time to the hospital. 
 
 Whifton walked up the center of the sick ward with a 
 lofty air, as one weighted with the wisdom of the bench 
 and the responsibility of protecting society from every 
 species of attack known or imagined. The attendant who
 
 374 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 guided him, stopping near the foot of a bed at the extrem- 
 ity of the ward, made a motion with his hand towards the 
 occupant of it, saying, "This is the man," and then with- 
 drew. For a moment Whifton saw nothing other than a 
 wretched countenance shrunken almost to death, but im- 
 mediately thereafter, when the stranger turned his languid 
 eyes upon him, he began to tremble as if seized by an ague 
 fit. This was due more to surprise than fear, for he recog- 
 nized in the sick man one above all others never expected 
 to be seen in such condition; namely, Hamilton Hitch. 
 
 As if drawn by magnetism, Whifton approached the man 
 and took a seat available near him, gazing rapidly round 
 the apartment so as to ascertain if their conversation could 
 be conducted without the presence of listeners. Fortu- 
 nately there were no other patients in this ward, which ap- 
 pears to have been reserved for such cases as the one now 
 in it. Whifton did not speak ; he only gazed wonderingly 
 at his companion, while his heart fluttered and his brain 
 became confused with the pressure of multifarious ideas 
 within it. He breathed with difficulty almost gasped 
 and the pallor overspreading his face was even more deathly 
 than that on the features of Hamilton Hitch. The sick 
 man, observing Whifton's condition, said in a strange pip- 
 ing voice, "You are surprised." Then, as one who had 
 important information to impart and desired to give it 
 regardless of the absence of comment or reply, he con- 
 tinued : 
 
 "When everything else failed, I thought of coming to 
 you. I knew I would receive protection, not only because 
 I favored your application for the release of Herondine, 
 but because I felt you were always good. In the depths of 
 the extremity to which I was reduced, a strange longing
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 375 
 
 came over me to return even into the neighborhood of my 
 old home in Omaha, where I had lived so many quiet years. 
 This desire urged me still further with a hope that after a 
 little time spent here I might escape into the wildest part of 
 the plains and burrow in it like a wild beast. For once, per- 
 haps, I would receive the full measure of my expectations. 
 " Before it is too late, let me tell you what happened in 
 the South. Soon after that first affair of ours the thirty 
 thousand dollar job it was discovered by the men that 
 Sternbeard and Greenlaugh had plotted to win their 
 money. This fact divided the lodge into little bickering 
 parties as much opposed to each other as the contending 
 armies in the field. In about a year after this we had 
 another robbery, when we realized about ten thousand 
 dollars. It was an open day affair conducted after the plan 
 formerly pursued, and was quite successful. The person 
 robbed was a banker's messenger returning with his day's 
 collections and intercepted before reaching the bank. 
 After the division of the money, the men began to play 
 poker as usual, Lorraf and Rinz being the principal dealers. 
 When it was found that the sharpers were raking in all the 
 money, there was a row. Men drew pistols, and, after the 
 use of some fiery language, fired. The two captains, about 
 coming on the scene, were warned to keep away until the 
 storm subsided or they would be shot. There was great 
 uproar, and I was called down to restore order. I suc- 
 ceeded with much difficulty. Some of the men threatened 
 myself. It was found that Lorraf and Rinz had received 
 injuries from which they soon after died. My report of the 
 unfortunate affair stated that the men were shot by their 
 comrades for mutiny. That covered it. I then gave 
 orders to stop gambling altogether, but they were not
 
 376 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 obeyed. The captains found through private information 
 that the men had formed self-preservation societies, so as 
 to maintain what they called their rights, and oppose us 
 during future critical periods of trouble. I knew that this 
 kind of independence would ruin everything. It was an- 
 archy within anarchy, and must end in destroying itself. 
 
 "It is singular how logical conclusions may be made 
 ineffectual by circumstances. My plans were well con- 
 ceived and calculated to be successful ; but when tested by 
 the ways of the world and law, they failed. This was be- 
 cause some item in the plan proved unsound, bringing 
 disaster on the others. It was straight enough for a few 
 fearless men to surprise and threaten and rob an individual ; 
 but to keep these fellows afterwards in line, bound down 
 by rule to secrecy and forgetfulness, was the greatest part 
 of the work. When employing the men, I did not take 
 into consideration their liability to mental weakness, drunk- 
 enness, treachery, and other evil propensities associated 
 with persons who have set the law at defiance. I have now 
 learned that if you call forth evil it will strike yourself. 
 Should you design it for the injury of others, it will turn in 
 its path and wound you even to death, so merciless is it. 
 Here you see the difference between a good and evil design 
 and good and evil agents. The results in the one case will 
 be beneficial, but in the other disastrous and death-dealing. 
 My life was a delusion. I hated society; but this only 
 made my own mind a torment, while the people enjoyed 
 themselves as heretofore. Surely this was no advantage to 
 me. Experience taught me more than anything else. 
 
 " I received frequent reports of the dissatisfaction of 
 the men, due to the most trivial causes, and it was hinted 
 that both Sternbeard and Greenlaugh were not above plot-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 377 
 
 ting mischief to myself. Thus it became apparent that 
 nothing would arise to me out of my creation, my lifelong 
 study of the masked lodge, but dissensions, threats, heart- 
 aches, and mortal fear of assassination. There was another 
 potent cause of trouble amongst us; namely, disagreement 
 on account of variation in our opinions. It was curious 
 to watch the way this seemed to be produced. While the 
 men were busy with ordinary duty, there was some little 
 peace; but when dressed in new clothes and filled with a 
 good dinner, they ventilated the most extravagant ideas. 
 The most ignorant men stood on their feet the longest in 
 debate, and asserted positively that they would not believe 
 anything but their own opinions, no matter what happened. 
 About the time of these discussions it was suggested to me to 
 permit individual members of the guards to go into the city 
 at night for the purpose of 'holding up' belated business 
 men or others who should have been at home with their 
 families instead of in the street. At first the permit was not 
 given or sanctioned; but the party pleaded so persistently 
 that, suppressing my better judgment, I let them go. This 
 break into my original plans proved ruinous. In a period 
 of one month from the time referred to, three of my men 
 were admitted to hospital on account of wounds received in 
 their midnight raids, and six captured as outlaws and held 
 to answer for robbery in the superior court. As they had 
 been dressed in civilian clothing at the time of their oper- 
 ations, they were not known to belong to my company of 
 troops; but we entertained grave fears that some of them 
 might peach. 
 
 " There never came a day that did not reveal some ter- 
 rible possibility hanging over us of imprisonment or death. 
 The war news proved a great source of uneasiness. From
 
 378 7.V THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 having been confident of the success of the Confederacy, I 
 grew doubtful and finally lost all hope. The withdrawal of 
 the army from Richmond was the signal for breaking up 
 the lodge. The men seemed crazed with the prospect of 
 release from the restraints of the lodge, and actually howled 
 like half-famished wolves. Many had old scores to settle, 
 and they adjusted them with a vengeance. Sternbeard and 
 Greenlaugh were shot at several times by their own men, 
 but managed to escape unhurt, although their hats and 
 outer garments must have been perforated by bullets. They 
 went north. For my part, I was obliged to abandon 
 everything and take to flight to save my life. Even as I 
 fled precipitately, one of the men, seizing a carbine, fired 
 at me. The ball struck my left arm, fracturing the bone. 
 I fell as if dead, which prevented further assault; but I 
 revived soon afterwards and made my escape as far as the 
 Federal lines, where one of the doctors bound up my arm. 
 The balance of the lodge scattered so thoroughly as to 
 leave no evidence that the institution had ever existed. 
 It pulverized itself. The members were terrorized at sight 
 of each other after my control had been suppressed, and 
 slunk away singly so as to begin a new career among 
 strangers planned according to their individual ideas. 
 
 " Nothing in my whole life brought me such a severe 
 lesson as this castigation which I received at the hands of 
 my own set, fellows that I elevated to the distinction of 
 being my friends and brothers. Herein, of course, was my 
 error that such selection and classification should ever be 
 laid on evil lines with the expectation of achieving success. 
 I felt I had been whipped at my best trade. Uncompromis- 
 ing defeat came to me at my own door. I could overcome 
 my enemies by the force of concentrated evil in my inward
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 379 
 
 nature, but when my friends plotted for my destruction I 
 became helpless. Besides, mark my condition : I had grown 
 old ; I was alone ; Danderton was dead ; all my money, 
 placed at the disposal of the Confederate government, 
 was lost, without even the chance of recovering a cent 
 on the dollar; the personal property in my apartments 
 was valueless, owing to the disturbed condition of the 
 times; and my life stood in imminent danger from friends 
 on the one hand and foes on the other. On the broad 
 surface of the earth everything viewed through my mental 
 vision was black and threatening. Strange that at such a 
 moment I looked into the sky, and the balmy influence 
 which instantly reached my spirit turned my thoughts to 
 other and better subjects, back along the crooked road 
 of my poor life, back to the days spent with my early 
 innocent companions, back to my mother! Oh God! I 
 wept like a child at such memory when held side by side 
 with my own willful career, that had carried me to the edge 
 of the pit and was about to throw me in. Necessity then 
 forced me to consider if I had performed even one act that 
 might be accounted good, and I remembered that you had 
 persuaded me to liberate Herondine." 
 
 Whifton, who had recovered equanimity of mind, inter- 
 rupted the speaker by saying: 
 
 " It is really so; and furthermore, let me tell you, if you 
 manage to live I might get you something. Herondine is 
 a noble man, and powerful. We dare not now even imag- 
 ine what he might do in the future if asked." 
 
 A peculiar light gleamed in the eyes of the prostrate 
 man, which seemed to be some phase of geniality created 
 by the hope held up by Whifton. The semblance of a 
 smile flitted across his features like the sheen of the moon
 
 380 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 coming an instant through the clouds over the dark surface 
 of a pool. 
 
 "I thought of you," he continued. "Among other 
 things, I imagined if we had been companions in the lodge, 
 I chief and you major, you would have gradually brought 
 me over to your way of thinking." 
 
 "How much better it would have been," said Whifton, 
 "if we had been companions in civil life, living according 
 to law and in full possession of the privilege of legitimate 
 freedom, fearing no charge, envying no person his success, 
 proud of our native home, and happy in the possession of 
 plenty!" 
 
 The sick man made no direct reply. He mused as if seek- 
 ing a reason to justify his criminal life. Then he answered : 
 
 "Teaching was too weak for my trouble. I never 
 attempted to resist the infatuation which stealing held out 
 for me. If I ever considered for a moment whether or not I 
 possessed power sufficient to overcome this infatuation, when 
 I came to examine it there was none. You must remember 
 there are roses without perfume and oranges without seeds. 
 Therefore something more than mere words was necessary 
 to turn me aside from my evil course some radical chas- 
 tisement, which eventually came. When I had determined 
 on my destination, I arose, and, catching a horse, for 
 there were many of them in the place, mounted and pro- 
 ceeded on my journey. Passing through the scenes of 
 recent battles, I encountered many difficulties. Feeling my 
 strength giving out, I feared I would never see you again. 
 A few persons assisted me upon my representing to them that 
 I was a wounded soldier returning home. A short distance 
 from town my horse fell unable to travel further; and be- 
 lieving that my time had also come, for I felt the weakness
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 381 
 
 of death at my heart, I sank by the roadside and became 
 unconscious. When I recovered I found myself here. 
 Then I asked to see you." 
 
 "How am I to steer through the danger?" inquired 
 Whifton in a low voice. 
 
 " Give them a card with this piece of information on it," 
 returned Hamilton Hitch: "John Chisel ton, en route to 
 the Black Hills; wounded; paid off in full; accounts 
 checked and settled." 
 
 Whifton, taking a notebook from his pocket, wrote as 
 directed on a fly leaf, which he held for presentation to 
 the superintendent of the hospital. Then his companion 
 resumed impressively: 
 
 " I release you from all bonds, promises, contracts, or 
 obligations involved in your connection with our society. 
 I leave you absolutely free, and hope you may be happy. ' ' 
 
 Whifton rose to depart, saying he would look in next 
 day. 
 
 Before he left the hospital, Whifton handed to the super- 
 intendent the fly leaf with its inscription, and remarked in 
 an official manner: 
 
 "The sick man desired me to hand you this note, and 
 requests you would accept it as his record, to which the 
 superintendent replied, with a good-natured bow and a 
 smile, " Certainly. Thank you," but, as if to relieve him- 
 self, and his honor the Judge, from the unpleasant mem- 
 ories of the case, inquired lightly: 
 
 "Do you think it will rain, Judge?" 
 
 "Ah! well, now that you give me the cue," said Whif- 
 ton, " I believe we have had or will have a fall, but prob- 
 ably may be obliged to wait until it comes. It is really 
 so."
 
 382 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 The superintendent laughed at what he considered a 
 well-turned witticism, while Whifton thought he had had a 
 narrow escape from becoming ridiculous, on account of two 
 subjects pressing his brain at the same moment the fall of 
 Judge Hitch and the coming of a storm. 
 
 Next morning Whifton received a message from the 
 hospital that " Chiselton " died at midnight. Notwith- 
 standing the career of the man, the petty judge was 
 shocked, on receipt of the news of his death, by a combi- 
 nation of fear, friendliness, sorrow, and joy. The last chain 
 that had bound him to a condition of mental depression 
 fell broken at his feet, and he stood in the light of day a 
 free man. 
 
 In reviewing incidents of his past life, Whifton saw 
 clearly and forcibly how he had been rewarded even by 
 circumstances for the act of rescuing Herondine. The 
 trivial offense originally and innocently committed by 
 which he promised to keep secret for twenty dollars the 
 crime of another, dragged him forward little by little until 
 he actually touched heinous iniquity, without, however, 
 incriminating himself; but this was due to the fact that the 
 peculiarity of his love directed him into a channel that 
 ultimately saved him from ruin and premature death. 
 
 As to the fate of Hamilton Hitch in escaping the gal- 
 lows, it may be considered by some persons a misfortune 
 that he did not receive his just dues. To his own mind, 
 there is no doubt that during the last days of his life, hang- 
 ing would have been a relief to him as tending to cut off 
 the mental torture by which he was assailed. In whatever 
 direction he turned his thoughts, he met nothing but vis- 
 ions of crime, treachery, and debasement below the level of 
 the brute. There was no beauty on the earth or in the
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 383 
 
 heavens to administer solace to his soul, because he had 
 schooled himself to live without it during the long years of 
 his existence; and even now, while life flickered within 
 him, he loved to brood over dark phases of human nature, 
 wretchedness, and iniquity. His bodily sufferings, also, 
 must have been excruciating; and the fear of pursuit or 
 detection by some of his own gang made him feel like a 
 wild beast hunted by bloo'dhounds ! He died in the night 
 a time, too, when good men die but with him there 
 was no hope or consoling word or kind adieu or prayer for 
 a place in the blissful state beyond the grave. The remains 
 were buried in the potter's field in a grave without a head- 
 stone or any exterior sign to indicate that the place was 
 occupied save certain measurements marked in the records 
 of the cemetery. The world went on in the usual manner, 
 and the criminal was at rest. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 THE RESULT OF FINAL REPARATION. 
 
 AS Whifton's mind grew stronger under the impetus of 
 A\. good health and freedom from terror such as had 
 afflicted it in the days of Hamilton Hitch, he resolved on 
 making final reparation for his offense, if such it could be 
 called, in having had any association whatever with the 
 thieves of the masked lodge. To do this effectively he 
 believed it essential to consult Herondine, as well as that 
 he would reveal to him the whole proceedings and get his 
 advice. As on former occasions, there would be one secret 
 reserved from exposure his love for Grace Herondine,
 
 384 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 which was now so far mollified as to permit him discussing 
 kindred subjects without pain. 
 
 At that time Herondine was a member of the United 
 States Senate, having been selected for that exalted position 
 in accordance with the wishes of the people of New York 
 in consideration of his services during the war. Hence 
 Whifton's journey east would carry him again to Washing- 
 ton a contingency quite agreeable to him, as he delighted 
 in perambulating through the wide streets of the national 
 capital with the fascinating prospect of meeting war veter- 
 ans by the score on every corner. It was a sight long to 
 be remembered when Whifton, dressed like a country judge 
 in striped pantaloons, diagonal cutaway coat, and pique 
 vest, stood at the doorway of Herondine's office in the 
 Capitol and waited an introduction to the distinguished 
 New York senator. The western man was a trifle pale, his 
 face being also elongated on account of the weight and 
 importance of his thoughts; but at intervals he would 
 proudly protrude his breast forward, look upward as if 
 critically examining the workmanship of the ceiling, and 
 shake his little boots alternately the better to adjust the 
 covering of his nether limbs. 
 
 Herondine's reception of Whifton was cordial. When 
 he became aware that his visitor could supply what may be 
 called the " missing link " in his own history, which here- 
 tofore was wanting and referred to the person or cause 
 responsible for his liberation, he became at once deeply 
 interested and invited a repetition of the whole story. 
 Whifton's narrative of what came under his observation 
 from the time he quitted Washington to the death of Ham- 
 ilton Hitch proved astounding to Herondine. The accu- 
 racy of the details, backed by authentic documents in Whif-
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 385 
 
 ton's possession, dates, descriptions of individuals, and 
 collateral information obtained from Furflew and Rob 
 Riddleton, made the whole statement very reliable and 
 complete. 
 
 "You remember," continued Whifton, "the single-file 
 man in rear of your escort when leaving Richmond, muf- 
 fled beyond recognition? I was that man." 
 
 "Such heroism as this I have never seen equaled," 
 returned Herondine. "I recollect the person well," he 
 continued, " for I invited the captain's attention to him. 
 Green laugh replied you had recently joined the troop but 
 they had not yet given you any distinguishing name. 
 However, I watched the outline of your figure before part- 
 ing, and can readily recognize it now." 
 
 With renewed interest in the information obtainable, 
 Herondine questioned Whifton on special points. 
 
 " How did you hope to influence Hamilton Hitch, in the 
 first place?" he said. 
 
 "From my former acquaintance with him. I knew he 
 was bound to have some villainous business on hand as a 
 side issue, which if concurred in would gain his favor. 
 Besides, I heard about his secret work before starting. I 
 had a token left me by him at the time of quitting Omaha 
 for the South." 
 
 Here Whifton related how he first met Hamilton Hitch 
 as already known to the reader. Then in turn he ques- 
 tioned Herondine: 
 
 " How do I now stand in the eye of the law? " 
 
 " To begin with, I exonerate you," returned Herondine. 
 "The means you employed to save my life, if free from 
 any motive, would undoubtedly be criminal; but the whole 
 history of the case shows the absence of criminal intent,
 
 386 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 with the saving of my life the only object in view, and 
 therefore your action was not merely commendable but 
 deserving a rich reward. Now, tell me further: why did 
 you select me in preference to many other men then in the 
 hands of the Confederates ? Was there any secret motive 
 moving you to this course ? I was a stranger, residing even 
 in a different state from yours, and had not the advantage 
 of knowing you." 
 
 Whifton knew this question would come, and was pre- 
 pared for it. He replied: 
 
 " I had no power with the parties holding other prison- 
 ers, and you were the only one under the jurisdiction of my 
 man. When informed by Furflew of your capture, I knew 
 by the description he gave of the party that the leader was 
 Danderton Hitch. This meant to me that you would be 
 carried to Richmond, and all the rest that was to follow 
 came plainly to view. I admit no other man could judge 
 as I did at that time, but this was because he had not the 
 same amount of information. Your rescue appeared so 
 easy that I would even hold myself a criminal if I did not 
 go forward and procure it. It is really so." 
 
 This forcible exposition of Whifton's motives proved 
 satisfactory to Herondine. It appeared wonderful, and yet 
 the results as achieved by Whifton were so plainly derived 
 from causes such as those that would sway the action of a 
 thief like Hamilton Hitch that they could not be denied. 
 Herondine was profuse in his thanks, and invited Whifton 
 to spend a month with him in New York during recess. 
 
 " Many changes have occurred in my establishment since 
 the first year of the war," he said. "My father-in-law, 
 Judge Finnestare, is dead some years. My two aunts also 
 died. Madam Gloriana left to join some of her relatives,
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 387 
 
 and Felice went south at the close of the war. Mrs. 
 Herondine is well, and we have three children two boys 
 and a girl." 
 
 Whifton apologized on account of inability to accept his 
 friend's invitation, pleading family cares and official duty; 
 "but," said he, " I wish very much to know the fate of 
 some of the characters who figured with us in the years just 
 passed." 
 
 Herondine, understanding the purport of the question, 
 replied: 
 
 "Rob Riddleton remained connected with the secret 
 service during the war. His career was distinguished by 
 wonderful exploits, and truly his services were exceedingly 
 valuable. Furflew made a fortune at the circus business, 
 from which he retired after two years' experience. In New 
 York he purchased a fane residence on a fashionable street, 
 and joined a club where he enjoyed himself to the full 
 extent of his desires. I was told that he died recently, 
 some said on account of having eaten fourteen lamb chops 
 one night before retiring to rest and during the progress of 
 the club's high jinks. Saracen Gay, having seen the world 
 in many of its everyday aspects, including the elephant of 
 Furflew's circus, returned to his estate in the South con- 
 tented and determined to remain there the balance of his 
 life. His chief delight now appears to be the holding of dia- 
 logues with Flappins on all the scenes witnessed by them dur- 
 ing their travels, thus living their lives over again, to their 
 own great amusement as well as that of their listeners." 
 
 At the introduction of the names of Sternbeard and 
 Greenlaugh there was a long pause, after which a lively 
 discussion ensued as to what further action, if any, would 
 be taken in respect to them by Herondine and Whifton.
 
 388 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 "Unfortunately, I have recommended them for perma- 
 nent positions," remarked Herondine, " not knowing their 
 real character; 15ut as their associates are all honorable men, 
 they may not in future swerve from the paths of duty and 
 rectitude. Now," he continued impressively, "we come 
 to you. Your action in my behalf has made you great. 
 The consciousness of it must be a source of gratification to 
 you during your life and a kind of ideal heirloom in the 
 history of your family for ages in the future. Moreover, 
 it is only proper that you be suitably rewarded for deeds 
 that few men would undertake to perform. Through my 
 influence with the President, and in acknowledgment of 
 your valuable services, I shall have you appointed United 
 States district judge in the district in which you are now a 
 justice of the peace. This will be a permanent position, 
 and enable you to live comfortably, enjoying at the same 
 time honor and renown." 
 
 Whifton turned pale with delight at the announcement. 
 To him it was the unexpected. What he had sought in 
 these latter days namely, health and peace he had 
 found as soon as he understood how to comply with natural 
 law, thus reconciling him to the belief that the practice of 
 good deeds will surely bring an earthly reward. Now, 
 however, a great source of emolument as well as a great 
 dignity was going to be thrust upon him as if to elevate 
 his mind beyond the limits assigned to those of men, to 
 charm his soul with the emotion of fame and his heart with 
 the liberality of wealth. He was amazed at fate if this 
 approaching prosperity was any sign of its existence 
 or that peculiar train of circumstances which followed his 
 actions and finally laid such immense treasures at his feet. 
 What had he done ? he asked himself. Simply played a
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 389 
 
 straight game, never reneging once. That was all. And 
 for this heaven and earth seemed moved simultaneously, 
 impelled by a common desire to offer him the rarest gifts 
 in their possession. Oh, how blind are those who espouse 
 the methods of a villain in the expectation of gaining 
 anything, whereas by a little wisdom exercised in one's 
 own behalf, a little perseverance in the pursuit of right as 
 required by law, and a little patience, everything in the 
 hand of nature suitable to human life may be obtained, with 
 the power of enjoyment given gratis. High as was the 
 esteem, however, into which Whifton had been elevated, 
 great as were the gifts bestowed on him, yet he sighed for 
 the unattainable, verifying the supposition that, owing to 
 the varying incidents associated with human life by which 
 it is disturbed like the restless tides of the sea, complete hap- 
 piness is an impossibility. In the plenitude of his joy he 
 turned back to the time when he first loved Grace Finnes- 
 tare. How beautiful it would have been, he thought, if 
 these favors had come to him then. He might have gone 
 forward encouraged by the judge, her father, and heard her 
 sweet voice make music for his soul ; perhaps have felt the 
 tips of her fingers on his brow, like the touch of an angel; 
 and who knows? he might have won her. 
 
 For three days Whifton remained in Washington the 
 guest of Herondine. He was introduced to the President, 
 saw the great public buildings of the city, and wandered 
 through the Capitol as if it were a fairy castle whose dome 
 on the interior had been beautified by a celebrated designer 
 named Jack Robinson. As indicated by Herondine, Whif- 
 ton was appointed district judge. When the time for part- 
 ing came, each of the friends seemed very much distressed 
 Whifton because he venerated Herondine, and Heron-
 
 390 IN THE DEPTHS OF 
 
 dine because he felt gratitude for Whifton. So is it with 
 the parting of all good men. 
 
 Whatever others may have to write or speak of American 
 men in public office, it can be asserted positively that the 
 two here mentioned, with whose history we have been more 
 or less concerned, were honorable and just, faithful and 
 true, and preserved their integrity pure and unsullied to the 
 end. Whifton's record went through all the western coun- 
 try, and some lawyers ventured even to quote his opinions 
 on the grounds that they were clearly logical. Whifton, 
 however, died a short time ago, leaving a fortune to his 
 widow and children, besides a good reputation. 
 
 Great was the surprise in the Herondine household when 
 Grace heard the true history of her husband's rescue. 
 
 "I was almost positive," she said to Herondine when 
 discussing the subject " that the President or the Secretary 
 of War moved the authorities in Richmond to save you." 
 
 "And I," responded the husband, "believed it must 
 have been derived from my friends in the Senate, or an 
 individual friend residing in the S_outh in touch with the 
 executive." 
 
 " It seems almost incredible," resumed the lady, "that 
 one of the people that is, of the class devoid of wealth, 
 influence, and political power should be willing and 
 capable of achieving such an extraordinary deed." 
 
 " It proves to us, my dear," replied the husband, " that 
 even a single person, when directed by sound knowledge 
 into the pursuit of justice and right, may gain more sub- 
 stantial benefits than a thousand men led by false princi- 
 ples and ignorant demagogues." 
 
 The description of Whifton given by Herondine reminded 
 Grace that she saw him when he delivered to her a note
 
 THE FIRST DEGREE. 391 
 
 from her husband and also a card of instructions on the 
 night of their departure from Richmond. 
 
 "I remember him," she said, "and wondered at the 
 time that a person apparently so frail should be in the mili- 
 tary service without some special cause. It seemed to me 
 he had been pondering deeply over a far-off subject, for he 
 muttered incoherent sentences and once shivered as if 
 chilled with cold. It was probably his strangeness that 
 made him implicate himself in such fearful danger." 
 
 " Strangeness be it," said Herondine. " His action may 
 deserve that appellation too, perhaps, but it is not the less 
 meritorious on that account. I imagined the Secret Service 
 had most power to reach me when in trouble, but had I 
 staked my hopes upon it I were lost. It seems to me," 
 he continued, "that Judge Whifton's achievement points 
 towards an important lesson in human affairs. Men and 
 women in all classes of society can render the highest ser- 
 vice to themselves, to their country, and to the world at 
 large, if they study and perform what is really right, just, 
 and true to the requirements of law." 
 
 Herondine lived a long and happy life; and when he and 
 his wife died, a great concourse of people followed their 
 remains to the grave, which was situated amid blooming 
 flowers, green shrubs, and grasses charged with rich fra- 
 grance, and where the gentle west wind afterwards came 
 betimes to sing a paean to their memory. 
 
 THE END.
 
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