Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-01-07
FANNoNs MARE.
AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTION

The exploits Of Fannon, the famous tory
partizan of North Carolina, would make
body OF facts more interesting than any
tale of fiction. He was reckless fellow
bloody-minded as the hounds of Hayti. He
sometimes slew the helpless and innocent
in cold blood-the coward! But he had an
instructive tone and bearing Of authority
that kept his people within the metes and
bounds Of his will. He and his party were
one day resting themselves by spring,
lounging here and there on the green grass
in the shade of the trees. One of his sub
ordinates, big strong man, had got mad
at him. His rage had been boiling in him
for several days, and some fresh affront
caused his rage to become ungovernable-
he drew his sword, and was resting with his
elbow on the ground and his hand under
his head. His devoted followers were
around him, and he heard the click of their
locks as they cooked their rifles. ''Let
him alone!' cried Fannon, in his sharp
tone. He laid still, clam and sell. possessed,
with his keen, dark eyes fixed on the raging
lieutenant, as he made tremendous plunge
at his breast But when the stroke came,
its object swerved away like snake, and
the baffled man plunged his sword into the
ground. Quick as lightning lannon's sharp
blade passed through his gigantic form.
"Thus and thus, punish those who dis
regard my authority !''-and his eyes glowed
and sparkled like a serpent's. The man in
stantly sunk to the earth forever. But Fan
mons mare is written at the head of this
sheet, and she is the heroine of the present
writing. Achilles had his Xanthus, and
Bains his Podarg@; Alexander had his Bu-
cephalus; Mcdonald had his Selim. Fan
non was man of blood, like them, and like
them he had his favorite charger, and Fan
mons mare was worthy of her owner, cor
even better man." He called her the Red
Doe, from her resemblance in color to q deer
She was rare animal fleet, powerful, in
valued her, dare say, above king or coun-
try, or the life of his fellow-man. She bore
him proudly and fearlessly in the bloody
skirmish or quick retreat. When he stood
in the noisy council of his partizans, or in
the silent ambush, the faithful brute was by
ibis side, ever ready to bear him whitherso-
L. ~rouJd Ruf Fonrou loot h; ,,oro
Down on the east Of the Little River, the
partizan and some four or five of his follow
ers, one day captured man by the name
Of Hunters Wing from the country about
Salisbury, North Carolina. This was sufi-
cient cause for death, and Fannen told the
man he should hang him. Hunter was evil
IDENTIFY man of the time, but what could
he do, alone and defenceless, with dozen
bitter enemies! 1t was complete despera-
ton. The rope was ready, and strong
oak threw out it's convenient branches.
Fannon told him he might pray, for his
time was come. The poor man kneeled
down, and seemed absorbed in his last petit
his men stood by, and the trusty mare
stood among them, with the reins on her
neck. They began to be impatient for their
victim to close his devotional exercises.
But they soon discovered more of earth than
Heaven in Hunters thought; for he sprang
on lannon's mare, bowed his head down
on her powerful neck passed his heels on
her TANKS, and darted away like the wind.
The tory rifles were leveled in moment
-"shoot high shoot r'-cried Fannon-
save my mare!"
The slugs all whistled over Hunters back,
save one that told with unerring aim, which
tore and battered up his shoulder dreadfully.
He reeled on the saddle and felt sick at
heart but hope was before him and death
behind him, and he nerved himself for the
race. On he sped-through wood and ra-
vines, and brambles, did that powerful
mare carry him safely and swiftly. His
enemies were in hot pursuit