“Exciting? I rather think it was exciting! Jim used to tell me about it. There was one place in Montana named Virginia City where there were many of the Vigilantes. You see, there were very rich gold mines there, and that meant there were lawless men, too. Jim was there once, and he could remember some of the Vigilantes. He said there was one awful man who had killed scores of persons, and who was the terror of the whole country. And the strangest part of it was, he was nice-looking and talked like a gentleman. The Vigilantes watched for him for ten years before they got him.” “Did they hang him from a cottonwood, too?” “Yes; and Jim said when they had put the rope around his neck, and were just going to lead his horse from under him he burst out laughing at them all, and said, ‘Good-by, boys. I’m mighty sorry I can’t tell you by and by how it feels to be hung. It’s the only Western experience I’ve never enjoyed.’” “After all he certainly was brave to die like that, laughing. He had Margaret of Salisbury’s spirit. I always loved her, especially when she said if they wanted her head they must take it with her standing. Virginia, you know more thrilling stories than any one I ever knew. It just makes me wild to go away out there and visit you. Do you suppose I ever shall?” “Yes, I just know you’re coming. I shouldn’t wonder if this very next summer. I feel it inside me. We can be Vigilantes for sure out there. That’s just where they belong. But don’t you think we could be sort of Vigilantes here—standing as they did for fair play and ”—she lowered her voice “watching out for evil-doers?” Priscilla was enthusiastic over the idea. It seemed so different and original. Besides, it really did mean something to try to stand for fair play, and to watch out for anything—any evil influence, for example—that might harm those you loved. “We’ll especially try to see that Vivian isn’t so easily influenced,” Virginia whispered, “and we’ll try our best to help Dorothy to be like she used to be. Only they mustn’t know we’re trying. That would spoil it all.” “Shall we ask any one else to join?” asked Priscilla. “We might ask Mary. She’s really a Vigilante anyway, being a monitor.” “Suppose we tell her about it, and ask her to be adviser. You see, where she’s monitor, she can’t take sides just as we can, and maybe she’d think she’d better not join. It’s going to be a Secret Organization, isn’t it?” “Oh, of course. Secret things always seem more important. Let’s draw up the constitution this minute. I like to feel settled.” Pen and ink were found, and within fifteen minutes the composition of the organization was complete, Virginia being the Thomas Jefferson of the occasion. “I’ll read it aloud,” said the author, “so that we can tell if it sounds right.