rusted with me, and no torture of
body or mind shall extort them from me. And I hereby bind myself, in the
same solemn manner, and in the same presence, that I will defend the
members of the Order in all circumstances and places, us far as in me lies,
even to the giving up of my own life, if such a sacrifice shall be
required--that I will stand by them one and all in every emergency, and, if
occasion require, will not hesitate to give false testimony in courts of
justice, to clear them in suits at law, or in criminal prosecutions,
choosing rather to brave the penalties of perjury than violate this my most
solemn oath. And as I faithfully perform this my oath to the Order, in
whole and in part, may I prosper; but if I willfully fail in anywise, to
fulfill all that I have herein obligated myself to perform, may the heavens
become black above me, may the earth become thorns and thistles, and a
curse to me in body and in soul; may my life be devoid of peace, and
harassing care be my portion, with blight and mildew on all my hopes, and
all that my hand shall touch; may my friends desert me, and my own blood
rise up and curse me; may I become an outcast, among men, a wanderer and a
vagabond on the face of the earth, a prey to fear, and to the lashings of
conscience: and, finally, when death comes, may he send me from the
tortures of this life, to those of endless perdition hereafter."

After taking this horrible and blasphemous oath, the initiated was required
to sign a compact with his own blood, when he was duly pronounced a member
of the Order, which might truly be termed hellish. This done, the captain
said:

"Brethren of the Order, remove your masks, and welcome your brother!"

In a minute the fifty masks were cast aside, and Hurd looked around him in
amazement, for in that company were more than a dozen of his acquaintances
and neighbors, who passed in society--most of them--for honest men; but
most of all was he surprised to see _Duffel_ there, in the character of
first officer.

All came and shook him by the hand, and to their friendly greeting he could
reply to many:

"Why, A., B., C., D., are you here? and here's 'Squire F., and Constable
H., as I'm alive!" and such like expressions of recognition.

When the masks were removed, Duffel had the satisfaction of seeing Bill and
Dick among those present, and so soon as the League adjourned, he drew them
one side, and began a confidential conversation with them; but