“And I am rejoiced to make the acquaintance of Judge Worley,” replied Calhoun, raising his hand as if to shade his eyes from the light. They then advanced and grasped each other by the hand, the fore-finger of each resting on the pulse of the other. “Nu,” said Calhoun. “Oh,” responded the Judge. “Lac,” answered Calhoun. “Nu-oh-lac,” they then both said together. Thus were they introduced to each other as members of the Knights of the Golden Circle. The Judge was now profuse in his apologies for his treatment of Calhoun at their first meeting. “The fact is,” said the Judge, “we are surrounded by Lincoln spies on every hand. Some of them have gained admittance into the order. One cannot be too careful. Then your youth misled me. I am now surprised that one so young should be selected for so important a commission.” “No apology is needed,” said Calhoun. “I confess I was indignant at first, but I now see you were right in receiving me as you did. Have you received General Forrest’s letter yet?” “Yes, and it makes all plain. By the way, I see that your name is Calhoun. Have you ever noticed our password particularly?” “No; you must bear in mind I am a new member.” “Read your name backwards,” said the Judge, with a smile. Calhoun did so, and exclaimed, in surprise: “Nuohlac! Why, it’s my name spelled backwards.” “Aye! and it is the name of the greatest American who ever lived,” exclaimed the Judge, with enthusiasm. “I trust that you honor the name. Would that John C. Calhoun were alive now. What a glorious day it would be for him. But his spirit lives—lives, and thank God there is no Andrew Jackson in the presidential chair!” “Lincoln seems to have more nerve than I wish he had,” answered Calhoun. “Lincoln is an ignoramus, a filthy story-teller, a monster. Seward is the brains of the administration. Without Seward, Lincoln would be nothing.” Calhoun thought it wise not to dispute with the Judge, so he changed the subject by asking the number of Knights of the Golden Circle in the state. “That, under my oath, I cannot give,” answered the Judge. “I see by General Forrest’s letter that you have taken only the first degree of the order. That entitles you to very little information. It is the duty of those who take only this degree to obey, not to question. General Forrest advises that the other degrees be given you as soon as possible. I have already made arrangements to have you initiated into the second and third degrees this evening. That is as high as we can go here.” The Judge here looked at his watch, and said it was time to go. Calhoun accompanied him to a room over a saloon, the Judge explaining that they had selected the place so as not to excite suspicion by so many men passing in and out. Calhoun found at least fifty men assembled, and when he was introduced as one of Morgan’s men, he received a perfect ovation. “Hurrah for John Morgan!” shouted one enthusiastic member, and the cheers were given with a will.