Davis, followed by three groans for
Abe Lincoln.

Calhoun could scarcely believe his ears. Was this the North? He could well
believe he was in the heart of the South.

The object of the meeting was stated, and Calhoun was duly initiated into
the second and third degrees. There was no mistaking the nature of the
society; its object was the overthrow of the Lincoln government. But
resistance to the draft was the main thing discussed. Their hatred of even
the name of Lincoln was shown in every word.

Calhoun, now armed with the proper credentials, was told that to obtain
the information which he sought, he would have to visit the Grand
Commander of the state, who was a Dr. Warrenton, of Springfield. Calhoun
marvelled that the head officer of such an order should reside under the
very shadow of the state capitol.

The next day found Calhoun in Springfield. It was full of Federal
soldiers, and from almost every house a United States flag was flying. It
did not look like a very promising place for opposition to the Federal
government, but Calhoun afterwards learned that the place was honeycombed
with members of the Knights of the Golden Circle.

Calhoun was received by Dr. Warrenton with the greatest caution, and it
was only after he was fully satisfied that his visitor was what he
represented himself to be that the Doctor consented to talk.

"Be frank with me," said Calhoun; "John Morgan is contemplating a raid in
the North, and he wishes to know whether in that case he can expect any
aid from this order, and if so to what number."

The Doctor seemed to be fired with the idea of Morgan making a raid, but
said: "If you are to be given the full information you ask for, you must
be initiated into the fourth degree of the order. That is a degree which
but very few take, and can be given only with the consent of the Supreme
Commander. The Grand Commanders of the different states meet the Supreme
Commander in Canada next Tuesday. This is Friday. You had better attend
that meeting, as your mission is very important."

"Why meet in Canada?" asked Calhoun.

"Because it is safer, and--and we want to meet the Supreme Commander of the
order."

"Ah! I understand," said Calhoun. "Mr. --"

"Stop; on your life mention no names! Our oaths forbid it."

"I stand corrected," answered Calhoun, humbly.

It was arranged that Calhoun was to accompany Dr. Warrenton to Canada; but
the Doctor warned him that on the cars they must be to