Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-11-17
FANNON'S MARE.


The exploits of Fannon, the famous torv part,
san OF North Carolina, would make BODY of facts
more interesting than any tale of fiction He was
reckless felIow--bloody minded as the hounds
OF Hayr. He sometimes slew the helpless and
innocent IN cold blOCd--the coward But he had
that instructive tone and bearing of authority, that
kept his people within the metes and bounds of
his own despotic viii. He and his party were
one day resting themselves by a spring. lounging
mere ahd there on the green grass in the shade of
the trees. One of his subordinates. big stropp
man had got mad with him. His rage had been
boiling in him for several days and some fresh
attront at the spring caused his anger to become
ungovernab bIe--he drew his sword, and was rest.
ing his elbow on the ground and his hand under
his head. His devoted followers we're around him
and he heard the click of their locks as they cock
ed their rifles. Let him alone ~ cried Fannon
IN his quick, sharp tone. He laid still, calm and
seit'Possessed, with his keen dark eyes fixed on
the raging lieutenant. he made q tremendous
plunge at his breast. But when the stroke came.
It's object swerved away like snake and the
battied man plunged his sword into the ground.--
Quick as lightning lannon's sharp blade passed
through the gigantic FORM" Thus and thus |
punish those who disrega rd my authority !''-and
his eyes giowed and sparkled like a serpent's.-
The man sunk 10 the earth forever.
But lannon's mare is written al the ton of this
Achilles had his XanIhus and BaIus and PodargR:
Alexander had his Bucephalus Mcdonald had
his Selim. Fannon was a man Of blood like
them, and like them he had his favoriie and trusty
chargers; and lannon's mare was worthy of her
owner, or even a better man." He called her
the Red Doe. from her resemblance in color 10 a
deer. She was rare animal-hee, powerful.
intelligent. dociie as lamb--and her owner val
ued her, | dare say. above king or country, or
hn | 70 6 tr1f fal llg,t.,
and foarlessly in the bloody skirmish or the quick
retreat. When he stood in the noisy council OF
his partsans, or in the silent ambush, the faithful
brute was by his side, ready to bear him
whithersover he would. But Fanuon lost his
mare.
Down on the east of Little River, the partisan
and some four five of his followers one da V
captured man by the name of Huner-a 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 times but what could he do, alone
and defenceless, with dozen bitter enemies
The rope was ready, and a strong old oak threw
over lis convenient branches. Fannon told hin,
he might pray, for his time was come. The
poor man kneeIed down, and seemed absorbed IN
his last petition TO the throne of mercy. Fannon
and his men stood by, and the trusty mare stood
among them, with the reins on her neck. They
began 10 be impatient for their victim to close his
devotional exercises. But they soon discovered
there was more OF earth than heaven in Hunters
thoughts for he suddenly sprang on Fannon'>
mare, bowed his head down to her powerful
neck, pressed his heels on her flanks and dar;ed
away like the wind.
The tory rifles were levelIed in a moment
" shoot high shoot high ~ cried Fannon-" save
my mare ~ The slugs all whistled over Hunters
back, save one that told with unerring aim which
tor ,,,I h,,,o ,I H.. l..
reeled on the saddle and felt sick at heart bu
hope before him, death behind, and he nervec
himself for the race. On she sped-througi
woods. and ravines, and brambes, 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 10 Little River; there no ford, the
bank was high, and deep place in the stream be-
fore him. But the foe came he drew the rein
and claPped his heels to her sides, and that gal
liant mare plunged recklessy into the stream
She snorted in the spray as she rose, paved the
yielding wave, arched her beautiful name above
the surface, and skinned along like a wild swan
Hunter turned her down stream, in the hope oil
evadlng his pursuers; and she reared and dashed
through the flashing waters of the shoal, like
lightning ia the storm-cloud.
But Fannon was on the trail, and rushed down
the bank, with all the rough energy that the loss
OF his favorlte could inspire. Hunter turned the
mare to the opposite bank it was s:eep--severa
feet OF perpendicular rock-but she planted her.
self on the shore at bound and then away shs
ftew over the intermnabe forest of pines, straigh
and swift as an arrow-that admirable mare!
On and on did the generous brute bear he
masters foeman. till the pursuers were left hope
lessly behind. Late in the evening Hunter rod,
into Salisbury, had the slug extracted from hi
shoulder, and after lingering some time with tn,
effects Of his wound aud excitement, finally 90
well. And tina, galan, mare. that had done hin
such good service, he kop. and cherished till sh,
died of old age.