Tradition in that country gave Judge McCay the character of a heartless tyrant. He was said, while judge, to have always been on one side or the other of suits tried before him; and he never failed to let it be known which side he was on. He frequently indulged in lecturing, not to say abusing, juries publicly, when they returned verdicts contrary to his wishes and instructions. But “the Honl. Spruce McCay Esqr” found his match in the juries. They could not be driven or intimidated into giving verdicts contrary to their convictions; and whenever they differed with the judge--and they always knew his views--in a case of weight or serious results, they would deliberately disperse, go to their homes, and not return any more during that term of court. In a case styled “State vs. Taylor,” the record shows that the jury was sworn and the defendant put on “Tryal.” Nothing more appears except the following significant entry: “State vs. Taylor. The jury having failed to come back into court, it is therefore a mistrial.” Judge McCay may only have been, as has been said of him, “a man of strong character, determined and fearless in discharging his duty”--but so were the juries in that county, as the records show. At the May term, 1783, there was made an entry, which, when taken in connection with one which will be given immediately after it, will show how wisely these pioneers judged of men, and how necessary, sometimes, it was for them to take measures which at the time appeared harsh and cruel. The first entry is as follows: On petition of Lewis & Elias Pybourn that they who is at this time Lying out and keep themselves Secreted from Justice that the Court would permit them to Return to their Respective Houses and places of abode and Them the said Lewis & Elias Pybourn to give bond and sufficient Security for their Good behavior &c. The Court on consideration of the matter do Grant and Give Leave unto said Elias & Lewis Pybourn to Return accordingly on their giving bond & approved security to Capt. John Newman for their Good behavior &c. A final entry, made in the “Superior Court of Law and Equity” at Jonesboro, seven years later--at the August term, 1790--in the case of the “State of North Carolina Against Elias Pybourn for Horse Stealing,” justifies the members of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in having required Elias Pybourn to give security for his future good behavior. The full entry is as follows: