take the oaths
required?"

"If there is not anything in them to hinder me from being a true son of
the South," replied Calhoun.

"I assure you there is not, for I have taken them," said Morgan; "but you
must bear in mind this is a Northern order, its chief purpose to overthrow
the Lincoln government; its chief cornerstone is States' Rights. The Hon.
C. L. Vallandigham, who was lately sent into our lines for disloyalty, but
who has now found a refuge in Canada, is the Supreme Commander of the
order. No truer friend of the South exists than Vallandigham. He believes
in the doctrine of secession. The North is sick and tired of the war, and
wants to put a stop to it and let the South go in peace. This is the
purpose of the order."

"All right," said Calhoun; "I am ready to join any order that has that for
its purpose."

Calhoun was conducted to a tent where, to his surprise, he met quite a
number of the officers of the command. There was one stranger present, a
gentleman in civilian dress. Calhoun was told that he was from the North,
was a high officer in the order, and that he would conduct the initiatory
ceremonies. When Calhoun issued from that tent he was a full-fledged
member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. But he had taken only the
first degree. The other degrees were to be given to him after he had
arrived in the North.

After having fully learned the signs, grips, and passwords of the order,
Calhoun was ready for his journey. He now received his final instructions
from Morgan and Breckinridge.

It did not take Calhoun long to see that while these gentlemen were
willing to use the order, they had the utmost contempt for it. All nations
use traitors and despise them at the same time. The Knights of the Golden
Circle were traitors to their section. Calhoun felt this, and loathed the
men with whom he was to mingle; but if they could help the South to secure
her independence, it was all he asked. He, like the noble Major Andre of
Revolutionary fame, was willing to risk his life for the cause he loved.
Andre failed, and suffered an ignominious death; but his fame grows
brighter with the centuries, while the traitor Arnold is still abhorred.

"Here is a belt containing ten thousand dollars in United States money,"
said Morgan, handing him a belt. "You will need it; our money don't go in
the North."

"Whew! you must have had your hand in Lincoln's strong-box," said Calhoun,
as he took the money.

Morgan smi