A few Grangers who had been elected to Congress increased our strength, and an elaborate programme of what was to be done was prepared by the united forces.

In all of which Ernest joined loyally and energetically, though he could not forbear, now and again, from saying, apropos of nothing in particular, "When it comes to powder, chemical mixtures are better than mechanical mixtures, you take my word." The trouble arose first with the Grangers in the various states they had captured at the last election.

There were a dozen of these states, but the Grangers who had been elected were not permitted to take office.

The incumbents refused to get out.

It was very simple.