ed a feat for the honor of the craft,
which I hope will entitle me to this degree.

Q. What followed? A. I was admitted, and directed to approach the
altar by eight quick and one slow steps, still holding the head in my
left hand, and the poniard in my right, as if in the act of striking;
the ninth step brought me to the altar, where the Most Potent
addressed me in an angry tone: "Wretch, what have you done, do you
not know that by this rash act you have deprived me of an opportunity
of inflicting condign punishment on the assassin?"

Q. What followed? A. The companies made earnest intercession for me,
observing that my offence had doubtless arisen from the wrath of my
zeal, and not from any bad intention. Upon this the Most Potent was
reconciled, and he administered to me the obligation of this degree,
the companies all standing 'round me with their poniards as if going
to stab me.

Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as in Perfect Master.) Under
penalty of being stabbed in my head and in my heart. So help, etc.

Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the sign, token and words
of this degree.

Q. Give me the sign? A. (Clap your right hand first to your head and
then to your heart.)

Q. Give me the token? A. (Grasp the thumb of your brother's right
hand, both clenching the fingers and extending the thumb of the hand
that is uppermost.)

Q. To what does that token allude? A. The eight fingers and extended
thumb allude to the eight and one elect; the one to Joabert, who left
his eight companions, and went alone in search of, etc.

Q. Give me the pass-words? A. Rawkam and Akirop.

Q. What is the word? A. Bugelkal, who was chief of the tabernacle.

Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Jeva (pronounced Je-vau).

Q. What was then done to you? A. I was invested with the apron, gloves
and jewels of this degree, and ordered to salute the Warden, and to
return to the east for further instructions.

* * * * *

SECOND SECTION.--Question--Give me the history of this degree? Ans.
After the death of Hiram Abiff, the three ruffians who had been
apprehended having made their escape, a great assembly of Masters had
sat, etc., he had only time to pronounce Naukam, which signifies,
"vengeance is taken," and expired. Joabert being extremely fatigued,
refreshed himself at the spring which he found in the cavern, and then
slept until he was awakened by the other eight, who arrived shortly