The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-03-20

rail draw bridge after him. There was
no approach to the house in the rear,
and his retreat was always effected with
impunitv.
Charles Mackey had been at home
now about week, and was on the eve
of leaving with some valuable informa-
tion for the rebel Generals, gained by
his night prowlings in and about the
headquarters of Colonel Tarleton. But
early in June morning (an hour or
two before day. his usually faithful
watch-dogs failed to give warning of
the approach of strangers, and the first
notice OF their presence was their shout
ing ''Hello!' in front of the house. Mrs.
Mackey jumped out of bed, threw open
the window shutter, stuck out her
head, surveyed the half-dozen armed
horsemen carefully, and said, "Who's
there?"
Friends. Is Charley Maclley at
home?'
She promptly answered, "No."
In the meantime Charley had raised
the loose plank in the floor, and was
ready to make for the swamp in the
rear, when, stopping for moment to
be sure of the character of his visitors
he heard the spokesman say: "Well.
we are very sorry indeed, for
there was big fight yesterday on
Lynch's Creek between General Marion
and the British, and we routed the red
coats completely; and we have been
sent to General Davie at Landsford
with orders to unite with Marion at
Flat Rock as soon as possible, and then
to attack Tarleton. We don't know
the way to Landsford, and came by for
Charley to pilot us.
Mrs. Mackey was always cool and
collected, and she said she was very
sorry her husband was not at home.
But her husband was just the reverse
hot headed aud impetuous. This sud-
den news Of victory, after so many re-
verses, was SO in accordance with his
wishes that he madly rushed out into
the midst of the mounted men, hurrah-
ing for Marion and Davie, and shout
ing vengeance on the redcoats and To-
ries /; and he began to shake hands en-
Enthusiastically with The I" boys, and to
ask particulars about the fight, when
the ringleader of the gang coolly said :
''Well, Charley, old fellow, we've set
a good many traps for you, but never
baited 'em right till now. You are
our prisoner. And they marched
him of, just as he was, without hat or
coat, and without allowing him mo-
ment to say parting word to his poor
wife.
1t was now nearly daylight, and they
ordered him to pilot them to Andy Nc
Elwain's, with the hope of capturing
him too. But he was not at home. Then
he was compelled to pilot themt to James
Truesdale's, and he was not at home.
From there they went to Lancaster vii
lage, and then to Colonel Tarleton' s
headquarters, where Charley Mackey
was tried by court-martial, and SEN
fenced to death as spy.
The next day Mrs. Mackey, not
knowing what had happened, gathered
some fruit and eggs, and, with basket
well filled, she made her way to Colonel
Tarleton's camp. Hucksters were
readily admitted when they had such
luxuries to dispose of.
On getting within the lines she in
quired the way to Colonel Tarleton
marquee, which was shown to her. The
/ Colonel was on parade, but a young
officer, who was writing, asked her tC
be seated. After he had finished, he
said: "You have something for sale,
presume"
She replied that she had eggs and
fruit He gladly took what she haC
and paid for them. She frankly de
clared that her basket of fruit was only
pretext to get TO Colonel Tarleton
that she was anxious to see him in per
son on business of great Importance
She then explained to him the capture
of her husband, and that she wished tt
! get him released if he were still alive
for she did not know but what they haG
hung him up 10 the first tree the1
came to. The officer told her that the
/ Colonel was on parade, and would no
return for two hours not till he came
in for his mid day meal. Mrs. Macke,
was comely woman of superior in
telligenee, and she soon interested tn,
young officer in her sad condition. II,
| expressed for her the deepest sympathy
/ told her that her husband was near b,
under guard; that he had been trieC
and sentenced to death as a spy; tina
he was to be hung at sunrise to morrow
morning, and that he feared there wa
no hope of reprieve, as the eyidenc
given against him by Tories was of tn,
most positive kind. He told her tina
Colonel Tarleton was as cruel and un
feeling as he was brave, and that h
would promise her anything to get Ri
of her, but would fulfill nothing.
''However. said he, Il will pre-
pare the necessary document fo
your husbands release, filling il
the blanks so that it will only b
necessary to get Colonel Tarleton'
signature. But | must again frankl
say that this is almost hopeless.
At twelve o'clock Colonel Tarleto
| rode up, dismounted, and entered tn
adjoining tent. As he passed along
the young officer said: .sYou must wal
till he dimes. Another charger wi
then be brought forth, and when h
comes out to mount, You can approae
him, and not till then"
At the expected time the tall, boyisl
looking, clean-shaved, handsome youn
Tarleton came ont of his tent, and a
he neared hischarger he was confronte
by the heroic Lydia Mackey, who in
few words made known the object {