Publisher's Synopsis
"You bear witness, Major," he cries-"you bear witness how Calhoun is trying me! But by the living heavens, I'll uphold the law!" Then, shaking the ponderous tome at Wizard Lewis, his finger marking the place-"Here! I've been reading what old John Marshall said in the case of Aaron Burr. He makes treason in its definition as plain as a pikestaff. A man can't think treason; he can't talk treason; he can only act treason. It requires an act-an overt act! Calhoun is safe while he only talks or conspires. But let one of his followers perform one act of opposition to the law, even if it be no more than hand on sword hilt or just the snapping of a fireless flint against an empty rifle-pan, and I have him.
