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

TInaLS enough, That viii do"
shouted the leader Of the Tories in
his rage. wen give you just three
minutes to live! Say your prayers and
be done with it! Wen take you first,
and then we'll take the others, one
by one. If John Gillespie is here, and
will give himself up, we'll let all the
others 60" he added, pausing a mo-
ment for a response to his last appeal
Again a silence, tense, terrible, rest
ed over the assembly. No one spoke
and few Of the "partisans" glanced at
the young colonel. John Halls face
was pale, but he did not. give even
one appealing look at his colonel. The
flush of anger that could be seen on
the cheeks of the Tory leader became
darker, and in moment he turned
savagely to his followers and shouted:
''Blindfold him and tie his hands
behind his back! Take him over to
the lead! Give him just three min
utes for his prayers, and then we'll
be ready for the next victim!"
The command seemed to come as
relief to all John Hail still did
not speak as the Tories rushed for
ward to obey their leaders word.
Some were even laughing as they tri-
ed to share in the task The "parti-
san" prisoners looked anxiously at
one another, and then in compassion
glanced at their doomed comrade, all
fearful that his fate was soon to be
shared by every one of them.
Meanwhile John Gillespie himself,
his heart deeply moved by the devo-
ton of his band, aware that what he
was about to do must instantly be
done, moved slowly to the place where
his own fleet English fly as he
called his horse-was standing. TO
betray haste or to act without the
most extreme caution now would be
fatal. Endeavoring to arrest suspic-
as if he were merely a curious specta-
tor. Thus far he had not been mo-
Tested, although he was aware that
he was being closely watched. At
last he stood within the feel of his
waiting horse, but he could see that
John Halls eyes were covered and
that the men were even then binding
his. arms. Less than a minute re-
manned of the brief time that had
been granted the true-hearted man
in which to say his final prayer,
Suddenly, John Gillespie leaped for
his horse and vaulted upon his back.
The bride rein was torn from the
bush and then, rising in his seat as
he started the fleet animal into it's
swiftest PAGES, he turned and shout
ed, Il am John Gillespie! I'm John
Gillespie! Come and take me if you
want me-"
Instantly the camp was thrown into
the widest confusion. The Tories, at
the shout of their leader, rushed for
their own horses and in moment
were in swift pursuit of the daring
Wing. Even John Hall was ignored
in the wild desire to secure the fear
ed and hated colonel. His fellow
prisoners, however, were quick to
make the most of the opportunity
their daring leader had provided. The
bandages were roughly torn from
John Halls eyes, his arms were freed,
and with his comrades he, too, was
fleeing for the shelter of the adjacent
forest
On the following day, when Colonel
John Gillespie's band had once more
assembled, and the young leader him
self was with them, he said in reply
to the query Of Sam Forbis: Catch
me?' Catch me when I'm mounted
on my English filly? The Tory does
MT live that can do it! | hadn't run
mile before I'd left every one of 'em
so far behind that they didn't even
know there was race. Twas a
close call, though, specially for John
Hall, but it probably wont be the last
he'll have, or we either, before we're
done"
Nor was it the last "call" that came
to the hardy band before peace was
declared in 1888; but in all the expert
ences that befell there was none
which better Illustrated the charac-
ter of the struggle in which the sea-
tered people were engaged, or more
clearly disclosed the daring, courage
and quick wit of the patriotic parts
ans of the old North State. From
The Churchman.