The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-06-06

bers. After we mounted and rode
away, scarcely word was exchanged
between us. just before dusk we over
took q dozen horsemen in the breaks
of a creek bottom. roughly dressed
fellows, heavily armed. riding in the
same direction as ourselves, and, att
er the exchange Of word or two, the
whole party Of us logged along togeth-
er. Others struggled in, singly, or by
small groups. as darkness closed
about, until we formed quite respect
able company 1t was rather silent,
weird procession, scarcely word be-
ing spoken, and no sound heard, other
than the dull reverberation of unshod
hoofs on the soft turf. To me, CLAN
cling back from where held position
beside Farrell, they seemed like spec
trail figures, with no rattle Of accoutFe-
ments, no glimmer Of steel, no SEM
blance of uniform. Yet my heart
warmed to the knowledge that these
were no holiday warriors, but grim
fighting men. They had left their
plows in the furrow TO strike blow
for liberty.
1t was an hour or more after dark
when our compact little body of
horsemen rode down gully into a
broad creek bottom, and then advanc-
ed through a fringe Of trees to the
edge of the stream. There was a
young moon in the sky yielding a
spectral light, barely making those
faces nearest me visible. At the sum-
NIT of the clay bank, Swallowed by the
forest growth encircling them, were
the others who had gathered at this
war rendezvous, the majority dis
mounted, holding their horses in readi-
ness for action. AS we rode in among
them neighbors clasped hands silent
ly, but the words exchanged were few.
Farrell forced his horse through the
press toward where tall figure sat
stiff in the saddle, and my own horse
followed unguided.
"A goodly turnout, Duval," he COM
mented briefly. What was the num-
Der before we Gamer"
"Forty-seven rifles" the Lieuten-
ants voice nasal, and high pitched.
"The men from Orchard and Spring
dale are not in yet. How many ar
rived with your
Twenty; ample for our purpose,
even If the others fail us. This is
Major Lawrence Of the Maryland
Line"
l shook his long, thin hand, marking
the iron grip Of the fingers.
wen introduce you to some typical
Jersey lighting tonight, Major" he
said genially 1--WE have style all
our own"
IT had supposed l had witnessed all
styles"
Wen see; the difference is that
every man among us has some outrage
TO revenge. Our quarrel is personal
one against thieves and murderers.
What is the program, Farrell?"
ITO intercept Delavan's raiders.
They will be along the main road
within the hour from all reports. He
has a wagon train loaded with stuff
gathered up between Medford an
Mount Holly, together with consid-
cradle drove Of cattle and some
horses"
"And what force?'
about fifty men originally, but re-
inforced this afternoon with as many
more to help guard the train into
Philadelphia"
''Mounted?"
1.-THE reinforcements were, but the
original foragers were afoot; they
were Hessians; the others Grants
company of Queens Rangers"
"Glory be to God!" exclaimed a
voice near at hand "Did We hear that,
lads? It's Dutchmen and Tories we're
against tonight Be Gorryi wouldn't
have missed the chance Of this shindy
fer the best farm In Camden"
There was low growl from the
cluster Of men, and an ominous move
ment Of bodies pressing closer. Duval
laughed mirthlessly.
"The bloodhound takes the scent"
he said grimly. God help those poor
devils when we cut the leash, Far
rell. Where do you propose meeting
them?"
ACROSS there in the bluffs" point
ing, where the road turns in between
the high clay banks. Wen leave our
horses here, an cross on foot, Is that
the right plan, boysH"
There was a murmur Of acquies-
cence, q few questions, and then the
silence Of approval. II was evident
these minute men were under small
discipline, and their officers led only
by force Of character. Without orders
the horses were led away, tied Sc
curely in the black depths Of the
woods, and the men came struggling
back. rifles in hand, grouping them
selves along tAe edge Of the stream.
There was no attempt at military
formation, but Duval Strengthened
them out so as to count the number
present.
"Sixty-nine, all told" he announced
briefly. "All right, boys, come on, and
keep your powder out Of the water"
It was firm bottom. but the water
rose above the waist, with sufficient
current 90 we had to brace against It