mbers fifty or a hundred. There is but one
fate for any one who refuses the oaths. He is never seen again. The
Brothers of the Southern Cross visit on him the reward of
traitors--Death!

[Illustration: THE SIGN OF RECOGNITION.]

THE K. K. K.

The Order or Society commonly known as the Ku-Klux-Klan, has no such
name among its members. That is an approximation in letters and sound to
the challenging signal of the Order. For instance, when a Brother
approaches the spot where a band is assembled, the sentinels, always
concealed, challenge him by bringing their rifles to a full cock. That
operation, as every one knows, produces two sounds or clicks, one when
the hammer reaches the half cock, and the other when it comes to the
full cock. These sounds or clicks are represented by "Ku-Klux." The
"Klan" is the sound of the hammer on the nipple of the piece when the
trigger is pulled, and the hammer snapped. Bringing the piece to full
cock is the challenge, and the answer is given by the challenged party
full-cocking his piece, and instantly pulling the trigger, snapping the
hammer.

The Society really has NO NAME! It is never spoken of by its members,
among themselves, as the Ku-Klux-Klan, or by any other name. The three
emblems, the Cross, the Crescent, and the Lone Star, are used in the
oaths of initiation, and to bring the companies together; but they do
not, either singly or together, give the order any name recognised among
its members as the proper distinctive designation of the association.

The Order has NO WRITTEN RECORDS. Not a line will ever be found of the
official records of the Society, for it has none! No muster rolls can be
produced, for there are none! No orders or communications are ever
written, but on the contrary, every thing of the kind is strictly
prohibited. The Brothers work in silence and in darkness! There are no
witnesses against them but human witnesses, who are always liable to
their vengeance as traitors! No tell-tale paper-and-ink witness will
ever appear against them by their own acts!

At the meetings of the oldest companies, the Brothers always appear with
their faces partially covered. If the meeting is in a building of any
kind, there is never a light to show the faces of those assembled; and
if there be a fire, the Brothers keep away from its light as much as
possible. Always, when practicable, the meetings are held in some
wilderness, and no meeting is ventured upon for any g