The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-17

coming fast, and for the first time faint hope touched the heart of the prisoner. Even the leader seemed to hesitate. But suddenly a voice rang out:
 How about Steve Blake? What happened to him?'
 They burned him." some one an- swered, and instantly the crowd was in an uproar. Forgetting everything clses the men pushed forward. roughly, imperatively. till the girl and the pris- oner found themselves hemmed in by breathless, ravenous mob.
 Go back" she cried. Listen! I must speak to you! You must hear me-" an6 rather than drag her away, they were obliged to listen.
 If you touch this man." she said, slowly and distinctly, If you so much as dare to put your hand upon him to harm him every man of you shall suffer. I swear 1t. Not one of you shall escape. Many 1 know by name. The truth shall be told. You know what happens in this State to a negro who kills a white man? We'll, that is. what will happen to you. Do you dream that you can torture this innocent man and go unpunished? Nothing can save you if you harm him. I will tell them, boys" she declared, solemnly, ESQ help me God, and there Is not one of you who dares to keep me from it."
 The prisoner was seized with a sud den trembling. Great drops of sweat stood on his forehead. and he realized with horror that his nerve was giving way as he gazed helplessly at the little figure in front of him, facing so dauntlessly the rough and desperate men. Like an angel among fends of darkness she stood, her sweet face il- lumined by an unearthly courage, and forgetting her own extremity, his whole heart went out to her in great wave of tenderness and pity
 "'For Gods sake, he called brokenly, leave this place. It Is all you can do for me. beg-I implore you to leave"
 Already a rough hand gripped her arm, and as she shrank away and gazed wildly down the empty road, she knew that the end was near.
 'Don'tn she cried, drawing back. Don't touch me. I will go away. l will leave you to do this horrible deed- since I must"
 The men fell back a pace. "All I ask before I go is that you give this man five minutes in which 10 pre- pare for death. If he is guilty he needs to pray
 As always, superstitious. emotional and respontive to religious suggestion the men paused, their eyes round with excitement. The girl looked at tho prisoner, and there was meaning In her glance. Silently he bowed his head, and standing by his side she closed her eyes and clasped her hands and from her heart there flew to Heaven a wild and impassioned appeal for help. They seemed very far away from tho great world outside where there were brave. strong men, ready to protect | the weak and helpless. Not a sound | but the breathing of the men broke the stiffness Around about were the ever lasting hills. RIorified by the last gol- den rays of the setting sun. and here in this little glade twilight was ap- preaching. The birds had ceased their singing. and Nature was sinking to sleep. while one of her children, stand ing alone against overwhelmng odds still fought a good fight In the years long past her ancestors had been sol diers. One by one they had been brought home. limbs gone. sight gone' clothed in rags. but with spirits un- broken. They never knew when they were beaten
 So suddenly the girl raised her voice in prayer
 70 Lord" she cried. have mercy on this man. If he is guilty os this horri- DIG crime we are sure that thou wilt punish him, but make him repentant that ne may know peace at last. Ana 1T 1T ne is innocent give him courage 10 iace tnls dreadful death which IS De IoIe 70 nm, ana sustain him with tns tnous"s ot the everlasting joys whIcn await nm. And o Lord, have mercy on tnAAA men. and give them eourageI