is not our intention to enter into all the details attending the
ceremony of initiation into the order, as we apprehend that a few of the
leading features in the process of villain-making will be more entertaining
and acceptable to the reader.

When the candidate for admission entered the cave, he found himself
_vis-a-vis_ with fifty masks, of all shapes, forms and appearances; some
horrible, some odd, some commonplace, and some fantastical, and altogether,
a medley of strange, undecipherable, yet impressive combination of devices,
well calculated to excite a feeling of awe, and, with the timid, of terror,
in the mind of the beholder. Into this singular assemblage Hurd was
ushered, a wilderness of confused images before him. He was taken through a
course introductory to the more serious parts of the formula of induction
into the order, which were intended to increase the first bewildered
impressions on entering the cave, and was then led up in front of the
captain, who addressed him thus:

"Abram Hurd! by your presence here, I am to understand that you desire to
become a member of our order?"

"I do."

"Have you considered well before taking this step? The duties of members
are often laborious, and their performance attended with the most imminent
danger! We want no unwilling hands; are you ready to incur the risks?

"I am."

"Suppose the requirements exacted at your hands should cause you to look
the penitentiary in the face, have you the courage to do so?"

"I have."

"But further yet; should the good of our order require you to take the life
of a fellow-being, would you, in obedience to the commands of your
superior, perform that extreme act?"

"I was not aware that _murder_ was included in the catalogue of duties
imposed upon members of the order."

"Nor do I say that it is; I only wish to know if you are willing to go _any
lengths_ for the preservation or advantage of the order, in case of
necessity? You will mark the difference between murder and killing in
_self-defense_. With this explanation, are you willing to take the required
obligation?"

"I am."

"With the understanding, then, that you may have to face imprisonment or
death and obligate yourself to do all that shall be required of you for the
_good_ of the order, even to the taking of life, including all other acts
that are held criminal among men, are you still willing to proceed?"

"I am!"

"I must furthermore inform you, that if you fa