The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1849-11-10

NUMBER s5.
lannon's Marc.

The exploits of Fannon, the famous tory partizan
of North Carolina, would make body facts more
interesting than any tale or fiction. He was reck
less fellow, bloody minded as the hounds of Hayti
and lannon's mare was worthy of her owner or ev-
en- better man. He called her the Red Doe
from her resemblance in color to a deer She
was animal-heetpower intelligent, docile
as lamb--and her owner valued her, dare say
above king or country, or the life of his fellow
man. She bore him proudly and fearlessly in the
quick retreat. When he stood in the noisy coun-
sci of partzans, in the silent ambush the faith
fui brute was by his side ever ready to bear him
whithersoever he would. But Fannon lost his
mare.
Down ON the east of Little River, the partizan
and some four or five ofhis followers one day cap
tured a man by the name of Hunter, Wing from
the country about Salisbury. n C. This was
sufficient cause of death, and Fannon told the man
he should hang him. Hunter was evidently man
of the the times; but what could he do alone
and defenceless, with dozen bitter enemies? Il
was case of complete desperation. The rope
was ready, and strong old oak threw out conven.
lent branches. Fannon told him he might pray fol
his time was come. The poor man kneeled down.
and seemed absorbed in his last petition to the
throne of mercy Fannon stood by and the trusty
mare among them with the reins on her neck
They began to be impatient for the victim to close
his devotional exercises. But they soon discover
ed that there was more of earth than heaven In
Hunters thoughts: for he soon sprang on lannon's
mare, bowed his head down on her powerful neck
pressed his heels in her fanks and darted away
like the wind.
The tory rifles were leveled in moment
Shoot high shoot high!' cried Fannon-'save my
mare! The slugs all whistled over Hunters bacl
save one that told with unerring aim, which tore
opd botfarod bie shon1dar Ha roalaf
in his saddle and felt sick at heart but hope wa:
before him, and death behind, and he nerved him
self for the race On he sped-through woods
and ravines and brambles, did that powerful mare
carry him, safely and swiftly. His enemies were
in hot pursuit They followed him by the trail Of
blood from his wounded shoulder. He came tc
Little River-there no ford; the bank was
high, and deep place in the stream before him.
But the foe came; he drew the rein and clapped
his heels to her Sides and that gallant mare plunged
recklessly into the stream. She snorted in the
spray as she rose, paved the yielding wave arched
her beautiful name above the surface, and skim
med along like a wild swan. Hunter turned hel
down stream, in hope of evading her pursuers; anc
she reared and dashed through the flashing waters
of the shoal, like lightning in storm cloud.
But Fannon was on the rail- and rushed dowT
the bank with all the rough energy that the loss o
his favorite could inspire. Hunter turned the mare
to its opposite bank; it was steep-several feet o
perpendicular rock-but she planted herself OF
the shore at bound; and then away she flew owe
the interminable forest of pnes straight and swif
as an arrow-the admirable mare.
On and on did the noble brute bear her master
foeman the pursuers were left hopelessly behind
Late in the evening Hunter rode into Salisbury
had the slug extracted from his shoulder and ate
lingering some time with the effects of his wounc
and exitement, finally got well. And that gallan
mare, that had done him such good service he KEEP
and cherished till she died ofold age.