this matter
was disposed of, the captain inquired:

"Are there any applications for admission into our order?"

"One, if you please," replied the secretary. "Abram Hurd wishes to become a
member with us."

"Has he been adequately examined, as to his qualifications to be numbered
with us?"

"He has, your honor, and the result is eminently satisfactory."

"Will the order pass upon the application of Abram Hurd?"

Voted affirmatively.

"The tellers will attend to their duty." Two men came forward; each
received a box from the captain. One was empty; the other contained white
and black balls. These boxes were passed to every member; that containing
the balls first.

"White balls elect; black ones reject," said the captain.

When the voting was over, the result was announced: "All white."

"Abram Hurd is then elected to become a member of our order, and will be
initiated at our next regular meeting. Let the brethren bear this in mind.
Is there any other business to be transacted?"

"None."

"The order then stands adjourned until the first Friday night of next
month."

CHAPTER V.

CONSPIRACIES.

After the adjournment of the clan, the members collected together in
various little squads about the cave, and engaged in conversation, some in
a loud, braggadocio, swaggering tone, others in low, murmuring voices,
audible only to themselves, and still others in confidential whispers. Of
those who have figured heretofore in the incidents of this story, we may
mention the hard-featured, desperado-looking fellows who had conceived a
dislike to Duval, as being very earnestly engaged in some matter among
themselves, doubtless of a vile character; it would seem, too, from their
manner, that others than themselves were not to be admitted into their
counsels, or to know the nature of their scheme, be it what it might, for
they kept casting wary glances about on all sides, as if with the intention
of guarding their circle from intrusion, and their words from being heard
by ears for which they were not intended. All the clan, however, were too
busily engaged in concerns of their own, to notice others. This fact was
observed by the ruffians, and they became less reserved and cautious in
their movements. Had one been near them at the closing of their confab, he
would have heard this fragment of a conversation among them:

"League or no League he's got to die!"

"Better be careful, or you'll have the cap'n down on y