The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-04-03

the least in the price paid for free
dom.
It was in the midst of such expert
ences that young Colonel John Giles
pie had received word of the coming
of large force of Tories into the
region along the shores of Deep Riv-
er. Aware of what the approach of
such band implied, the young col
onel had summoned his own followers,
among whom were the Halls, the Me-
adoos, the Forbises and others from
well-known families in that part Of
North Carolina, and set forth to cap
ture or destroy the Tory band. When
at last word had been received by the
force Of fifty patriots that their en-
emies were near John Gillespie had
hidden his men at nightfall to follow
the lower road, while he himself went
alone by the upper road to recon
noitre the spot where it was reported
the Tories had encamped near Deep
River When the colonel rejoined his
band in the early morning, his anger
and chagrin were keen as he was in
formed that instead of making pris-
oners Of the Tories, nearly thirty of
his own comrades were in the posses
sion Of the enemy. And when his own
suggestion, that what was left of his
band should make a dash upon the
Tory camp and attempt to rescue their
unfortunate comrades, was rejected,
his own reckless daring had never
been more clearly displayed than when
he had set forth alone on the perilous
venture
The pace at which the excited young
colonel was riding soon brought him
near to the cove he was seeking. Like
his men, he wore no uniform, for
what little money was to be had could
be spent to better advantage in food
for the men, and provender for their
horses than in the purchase of brass
buttons. The sight which greeted
John Gillespie as he drew near the
spot was one that well might have
caused the young leader to falter. Be-
fore him he could see a hundred or
more of the Tories, and in their midst
were his own recent comrades. In
deed, he could plainly see John Hall
himself, surrounded by group, and
from the actions of the Tories John
Gillespie instantly concluded that his
own arrival had been at an eXveeding-
ingly critical moment for his friend.
Hastily checking the speed of the
feet-footed animal he was riding, the
colonel approached the place where
the men were assembled and then,
endeavoring to appear as if mere curl
osity was the sole motive of his COM
ing, he dismounted and in apparent
carelessness< flung the bride of his
horse over a bush by the roadside
and turned to the group that was
about John Hail.
Startled as his own men were by
the unexpected arrival of their lead
er, not one by word or expression
betrayed either his surprise or knowl-
edge of who the newcomer was. The
Tories, disconnected for the moment
by the appearance of stranger in
WINGED that he was alone and unknown
to them, at once turned again to John
Hall and resumed the task which had
been interrupted by the arrival of
John Gillespie.
Nov then" demanded the Tory
leader as he faced the prisoner, "do
you know the rebel, John Gillespie?"
eyes, sir, do replied John Hall,
quietly.
''Is he here?"
Il don't see him anywhere respond
ed the prisoner, as he turned his back
upon his colonel and peered into the
faces of the prisoners.
"You are one of his men?"
81 am, and glory in the fact, tool"
rs John Gillespie here?" again de-
manded the Tory leader.
Il should not tell you if he was; but
I don't see him anywhere said the
prisoner, as once more he peered
about him, but not once glancing at
the place where the colonel himself
was standing.
''You can take your choice!" ex-
claimed the Tory. wen let you go,
and all the others, too, if you'll point
out John Gillespie for us. Is he in
this placer"
Il don't see him if he is"
"Turn around this way. Now look
carefully at every man. Don't forget
that it's the life of thirty men for one
If you point him out for us. Is John
Gillespie here?" again demanded the
Tory slowly.
The heart of the young colonel was
beating furiousIy in his excitement