Part 26 (1/2)
Q. What followed? A. I was asked by what right I claimed this privilege.
Q. Your answer? A. I Have performed a feat for the honor of the craft, which I hope will ent.i.tle me to this degree.
Q. What followed? A. I was admitted, and directed to approach the altar by eight quick and one slow steps, still holding the head in my left hand, and the poniard in my right, as if in the act of striking; the ninth step brought me to the altar, where the Most Potent addressed me in an angry tone: ”Wretch, what have you done, do you not know that by this rash act you have deprived me of an opportunity of inflicting condign punishment on the a.s.sa.s.sin?”
Q. What followed? A. The companies made earnest intercession for me, observing that my offence had doubtless arisen from the wrath of my zeal, and not from any bad intention. Upon this the Most Potent was reconciled, and he administered to me the obligation of this degree, the companies all standing 'round me with their poniards as if going to stab me.
Q. Repeat that obligation? A. (Same as in Perfect Master.) Under penalty of being stabbed in my head and in my heart. So help, etc.
Q. What followed? A. The Most Potent gave me the sign, token and words of this degree.
Q. Give me the sign? A. (Clap your right hand first to your head and then to your heart.)
Q. Give me the token? A. (Grasp the thumb of your brother's right hand, both clenching the fingers and extending the thumb of the hand that is uppermost.)
Q. To what does that token allude? A. The eight fingers and extended thumb allude to the eight and one elect; the one to Joabert, who left his eight companions, and went alone in search of, etc.
Q. Give me the pa.s.s-words? A. Rawkam and Akirop.
Q. What is the word? A. Bugelkal, who was chief of the tabernacle.
Q. Give me the mysterious word? A. Jeva (p.r.o.nounced Je-vau).
Q. What was then done to you? A. I was invested with the ap.r.o.n, gloves and jewels of this degree, and ordered to salute the Warden, and to return to the east for further instructions.
SECOND SECTION.--Question--Give me the history of this degree? Ans.
After the death of Hiram Abiff, the three ruffians who had been apprehended having made their escape, a great a.s.sembly of Masters had sat, etc., he had only time to p.r.o.nounce Naukam, which signifies, ”vengeance is taken,” and expired. Joabert being extremely fatigued, refreshed himself at the spring which he found in the cavern, and then slept until he was awakened by the other eight, who arrived shortly after. On beholding what Joabert had done, they all exclaimed Naukam.
Joabert then severed the head from the body, divided the body into 4 quarters, which were burnt to ashes, and the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven. Joabert then taking the head, etc., again reconciled. Solomon then ordered the head to be placed on the east pinnacle of the temple.
Q. What was the name of the a.s.sa.s.sin? A. Jubelum Akirop.
Q. From what number were the nine elect chosen? A. Ninety-nine.
Q. Where was the a.s.sa.s.sin found? A. In a cavern, near the coast of Joppa.
Q. How did the nine elect travel? A. By dark and intricate roads, which often obliged them to cross their legs, and this is the reason why the nine elect sit in this manner in the Chapter.
Q. What is meant by the dog you saw on the carpet, in the Lodge? A.
The dog of the stranger, through whose sagacity Akirop was discovered.
Q. What does the color, black, denote in this degree? A. Grief.
Q. What is your age? A. Eight and one, accomplished.
CLOSING.--Most Potent knocks seven (Grand Marshal rises) and says, ”The last as well as the first care of a Chapter of E. K.?” Ans. To see that the Chapter is duly guarded.--Please attend to your duty and inform the Sentinel, etc. Most Potent knocks eight, and Warden rises.