Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-02-21

il with as much ease and efficiency as f
ever did Richard of the Lion Heart his i,
famous batile-axe d
Some of the anecdotes of his personal v
strength and achievements would be abb
solutely incredible. but for the unexcep- @
tionable authority upon which they are U
founded.' On one occasion, when on /
visit to Richmond TO purchase barrel
Of wine, the merchant said be might have
the barrel. if he would raise it ano drink
from it. Francisco raised it with case,
and drank from the bung-hole. On a q
mother occasion, noted bully. who had S
heard of his great strength, rode all the
wav from Kentucky TO match himself a. )
gainst him in a personal encounter
Francisco, who was man of sminently (
pacific disposition, endeavored to dis /
suade the bully from his purpose, but
! finding. him determined, he raised him
| from the ground, as if he had been ba- Il
by, and put him over the fence. The +
man picked himself upy and requested
Mr.. Francisco to put his horse over af-
i terhim. No sooner said than done -
The horse followed his master, and BY
the same means. Francisco never struck
man but once with his clenched fist
: This was on an occasion when he was
attached by three ruffians, whom he piled
up IN heap together, striking one of
them and breaking his jaw-bone. 1t is
. stated in Howe's History Of Virginia.
''that such was his personal strength,
that he could easily shoulder cannon
: weighing 100 pounds - and our infor-
mant a highly respectable gentleman
now residing in Buckinham, in a commu-
4 nication before us says: :'He could take
il me in bis right hand and pass over the
:. room with me, and play nv head against
. the ceiling. as though l had been
!. doll-baby. My weight was 1876 pounds"
q Imagine such Sampson as this, in front
r of battle waving his six feet sword
>. The following anecdote, illustrative of
= Flancisco's valor, has been often pub
1. lished.:
/. while The British army were spread
n, ing havoc and Gesolation all around
m them, by their plunderings and burnings
a in Virginia. in 1881, Francisco had been
N recennoiteIing. and while stopping at
.. the house Of a Mr.. s**s, then in Ame-
. liza. now Nottoway county, nine Of Tar
n leton's cavalry came up, with three ne
i groes, and told him he was their priso-
r. ner. Seeing he was overpowered by
n numbers. he made no resistance. Be-
iieving him TO be very peaceable, they
a all went into the house, leaving him and
al the pavmaster together. "Give up in
- stantly all that you possess of value, y
A. said the latter, ''or prepare TO die" u
Of have nothing to give up" said Francis
IL, nj Nj.
,r- instantly !" rtjoined the soldier, 'fhose
" massy silver buckles which you wear in
10. your Shoes" They are present from
he. a valued friend" replied Francisco, "anc
it would grieve me 10 part with them
;f Give them into your hands / never will
10. Yen have the power-take them if yol
b;s think ft." The soldier put his sabre un
&c der his arm, and bent down TO take them
Ter Francisco, finding so favor able an op
portunity to recover his liberty, stepped
,ea one pace in his rear, drew the swort
or, with force from undershis arm, and in
,ils stantly gave him a blow across the skull
my eremy," observed Francisco, "wa
lie brave. and though severely wounded
A. drew pistol, and IN the same momen
oe that he pulled thestrigger, cut hrs han,
ors nearly off. The bullet grazed my side
ms Ben *** the man of the honse) very un
oot generously brought musket, and CAV
Oh, it TO one of The British soldiers, and tol
BID him TO make use of that. He mounte
,ed the only horse the could get, and preser
as ted 1t at my breast It missed fire.
~ rushed on the muzzle Of the gun. .
t63 short struggle ensued disarmed an
md wounded him. Tartleton's troops Of foa
raj hundred men were then in sight A
INV was hurry and confusion, which increa
Ter ed by repeatedly halowing, as loud as
In could, Come on my 6raUe boys poaU goa
IoId time ye UiH soon dispatch these fen an
The then attack the main body The wounc
The ed man flew to the troop. the others wei
ex. panick-struck AMI fled. 1 seized Ben ~
ore and would have dispatched him, but th
the poor wretch beggedr for his life; he WI
the mt only an object of my contempt, b
the pity. Th- eight horses that were lie
We. behind, | gave him TO conceal for me-
!. Discovering Tarleton had dispatched Il
res. more in pursuit Of me. made off L,
, he vaded their vigilance. They stopped
:ah refresh themselves, /. like an old 70
md doubled and fell on their rear.
Iii went the next-day TO B #ss for n
,sre horses he demanded two for his troub
he and generous intentions. Finding n
,,se situation dangerous, and surrounded
oIn. enemies where ought 10 have fou
his friends. went off with my six horses.
on,s l intended 10 have avenged myself
= - at future day, but Providence
H.r. dained should not be his execution
,and for he broke his neck by.a fall from G
His Of the very horses.
AA M Frsnc;sro "a tbo year 1Q-uas