The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-05-02

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dispatch these few men, and then attack
the main bodyn at The same time rushing
ut the drsgoons with the fury Of an en-.
ragged tiger. They did not wait to engage
him, bu, fled precipitaiely to the troop.
panio.siruck shd dismayed. Selling upon
the trailorous villain. W, Francis.
co was about 10 dispatch him. but he
begged aud plead SO hard for his life, that
he torgave him, aud told him to secrete
tor him the eight horses which the soldiers
had left behind them. Perceiving that
Curleton had dispatched two other dra-
goons in search of HIM. he made off into
the adjoining wood, aud while they stop.
ped III the house. he, like an old fox, dou-
bled upon their rear, aud successfully eva.
ded their Vigilance. The next day he
went to W. for his horses, he de-.
mand-d two OF them for his services. and
generous intentions. Finding his situation
dangerous. aud surrounded by enemies.
where he. ought to have found friends.
Francisco was compelled 10 make the
best oi it. aud leti with six horses. intend.
ing TO r.yenge himself upon, W al
y future time;a but. as he said, 'Provi-
dence, ,ordsined thai | should no, be his
executioner. for he broke his neck by
fall from one Of the very horses. 9f III
Many other anecdotes are told 0f Fran
cisco. illustrative of his Immense strength
aud personal prowess. At Camden, where
Gates was defeated. I. he retreated, and al
tier running along road some distance.
he SAT down to rest himself. He was sud >.
denly accost..iby British dragoon, who
presented. N pistol aud demanded his sur
render. His gun being empty, he feigned
submission and said he would surrender,
TAT The same tiu,e remsrking that his gun
was Of no iurther use to him. he presented
il sideways 10 the trooper. who in reach
ing for itihrew himself off his guard. when
Francisco. quick as thought. ran him
through With the bayonei. and as he f+ll
from his horse. he mounted him and con.
tinued his retreat. Oyertaking his com
mandipg officer. Col. Mayo. Of Powhat
tan, he gave up the animal. for which act
OF generosity the colonel presented him
with a Thousand acres Of land in Kentuc.
Ky ss >sstas ..i.s:t -,
The following anecdote, exemplitying
bis peaceful nature aud his strength. is sl
so told OF Francisco. How true il is We
yan,.ot say. but ". Tell il as it was told to
Us. man, years ago. while hn was sill liv
ing ia Buckingham county Virginia.
One day. while working in his garden.
be was accos,ed by a stranger who rode
up 10 the fence and inquired OF him if be
knew where q man by the name Of Fran
cisco lived
5, Raising himself from his;work. and eye
ing his interrogator, who appeared to be
Que Of the hall horse halt alligator breed
OF Kentuckians, he replied. .Well strsn,
| ger. don't know Of any other person by
lhst name in these paris but my sslt.'
Well, j reckon you amt the man |
want. want to find the great fighting
man I've heard tell so much about. The
fellow they say can whip all creation and
Aainiuck. to boot
i can, tell you. stranger. where you'll
said Francisco, resuming his work. as "a
hint TO the other that the conference was
ended. But the Kentuckian was not to
be bluffad off, as he would term it. .Look
ere, siranget,'' said he. returning to the
charge. what might your given name beg
MY name IS Peter Francisco. al your
service. - 7et' fs1S'e-1@
.Ahp returned the other. you're just the
man | want to fnd.' at the same time RI
ding Inside the fence. he dismounted and
I tied his animal-a rough ungainly Indian
poney-to one oi the posts. t'9
My nameis Big Bill Stokes. all the way
from old Kentuck. am the Kentucky
game Chicken. am. Lean outrun. out
hop. oujomp. knork down. drag ou, asd
whip any man in ali them diggins. So.
as hearn tello a fellow hereabouis who
could whip all creation. thought I'd sad
die old Blossom. and ride over to see wha
stuff he's made Of. aud here am. And
now. stranger. I'm most starved for q
fight. and I'm bound TO see who's the bes,
man. before 60 home It's Ill in good
feeling you know, and il you lick me, why
IN satisfied. but fi"ati
Stop min ute. stranger. said Francis
co, you velmlstaken your man entirely
In no fighting man Ut ail. and if l was
live nothing against youto fight about
We'll. don't know: is there any other
Peter Hr.ncisco in these parts?' '-''
No, not Thai know OF vs. afe3iap1is
well. then. you're the man. and you
tmust fight I've come slr the way from
old Kentdck. aud ai,,,'t gong back with
out knowing which is the best man. t3'
But | won tight, I've nothing to igh
about, and I tell you ! ,con't fght!' z
.b- a il you shan't fight; stranger
I'm bound 10 lick you ii | can. if don :
you must lick me- .''s''a.'ils9 sLaas
: By this time Francisco had become an
cry at the importantly Of his visitor. ant
determined 10 put an end TO the scene
i SEEING his antagonist therefore by th'
seat Of his bnckskin brreches. and tn,
collar OF his kuniine shirt. he threw HIN
over the fence into The road, then walkinI
llrisurely 10 where his pony was tied. h,
lunfastened him. and taking him up mai,
strength, threw him after his discounted
frider. - .'.s'' 800 - 4istts
+ The 'Ken,uckian. rsising himself from
lthe ground. perfectly dumb founded BY
] such an exbibition OF strength and afte
rubbing his eyes as though he might no
haye seen clearly. be mounted his pony
lremsrking, Well stranger. reckon you'l
II dn I rack M it,af uho,,t t;ynp for me tr