you could have
seen how the great and righteous Calhoun's influence lives after him!
And then the writers! That able newspaper, the Mercury, has thundered
daily for our cause. Simms, the novelist, and Timrod and Hayne, the
poets have written for it. Let the cities of the North boast of their
size and wealth, but they cannot match Charleston in culture and spirit
and vivacity!"

Harry saw that Bertrand felt and believed every word he said, and his
enthusiasm was communicated to the colonel, whose face flushed, and to
Harry, too, whose own heart was beating faster.

"It was a great deed!" exclaimed Colonel Kenton. "South Carolina has
always dared to speak her mind, but here in Kentucky some of the cold
North's blood flows in our veins and we pause to calculate and consider.
We must hasten events. Now, Raymond, we will go into the library.
Our friends will be here in a half hour. Harry, you are to stay with
us. I told you that you are to be trusted."

They left the table, and went into the great room where the fire had
been built anew and was casting a ruddy welcome through the windows.
The two men sat down before the blaze and each fell silent, engrossed in
his thoughts. Harry felt a pleased excitement. Here was a great and
mysterious affair, but he was going to have admittance to the heart
of it. He walked to the window, lifted the curtain and looked out.
A slender erect figure was already coming up the walk, and he recognized
Travers.

Travers knocked at the door and was received cordially. Colonel Kenton
introduced Bertrand, saying:

"The messenger from the South."

Travers shook hands and nodded also to signify that he understood.
Then came Culver, the state senator from the district, a man of middle
years, bulky, smooth shaven, and oratorical. He was followed soon by
Bracken, a tobacco farmer on a great scale, Judge Kendrick, Reid and
Wayne, both lawyers, and several others, all of wealth or of influence
in that region. Besides Harry, there were ten in the room.

"I believe that we are all here now," said Colonel Kenton. "I keep my
son with us because, for reasons that I will explain later, I shall
nominate him for the task that is needed."

"We do not question your judgment, colonel," said Senator Culver.
"He is a strong and likely lad. But I suggest that we go at once to
business. Mr. Bertrand, you will inform us what further steps are to be
taken by South Carolina and her neighboring stat