among the common brotherhood who had nothing to lose in point of character, they would employ them, and if successful, be sure to pocket all the spoils—­except enough to satisfy the immediate wants of their jackals.  If they were not successful, but detected in their villany, these unfortunate agents could lay claim to their aid, and were permitted to make drafts of money to procure bail in case of indictment or to defray the expenses of a trial.  We have sometimes wondered that certain felons should get clear, when their guilt has been established beyond a doubt.  We will not wonder when we learn that there are men of wealth and influence in almost every town, who are sworn to aid and befriend these villains.  They are sometimes lawyers, and jurors, and even judges.  But their conduct and relations will be more clearly seen, when I publish their letters and constitution.  It is only necessary to remark in this connection, that the only persons really benefited in this organized system of land piracy, are their Grand Masters.  They lay most of the plans, and receive and control the money,—­confer among themselves, but never with a common brother, only using him as a tool for the accomplishment of some foul purpose.  Here is policy.  It would not be safe to commit their secrets to the many hundreds under them, but only to such as are judged suitable after years of trial, and those beneath are often looking forward for promotion, which is a pledge of their fidelity.  The reader will perceive that if this higher order was ever to be fully exposed, it must be by some one of their own number, for one of an inferior degree knows no more of their proceedings than the uninitiated.

The danger of a full exposure now threatened them in connection with Colonel Brown; at least they apprehended it.  They knew they deserved it, and the circumstances of their accomplice pointed in that direction.  He had the means—­their own letters, and a knowledge of their deeds.  It was only necessary to give information to a third person, and the work would be done.  Besides, he was a man of extensive acquaintance and influence—­a ruling spirit among his fellows.  A revelation from him would have been direful in the extreme, as, in addition, he had in his possession the constitution and by-laws of the fraternity, which were always lodged with the ruling Grand Master.  Under these circumstances we need not wonder that there was excitement, that every expedient was employed to rescue the documents or make away with their possessor.  He was now in confinement.  It was vital to their designs to keep him there till they could secure the letters and constitution above referred to, or, in case of failure, make his life pay the forfeit.  They cared but little for his brother, as he was of an inferior grade.  The Grand Masters, then in office, had but one object in view, and that they were intent upon accomplishing.  The acquittal or conviction of the two brothers was a matter of no consequence