Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-11-17
Our gtrap 8ook
lannon's Mare.

-OlOOuy MINDED as tue MOUNDS OF HaYtl.
He sometimes sley,the helpless and in
nocent in cold4blcNdn ;xAg coward But
he had that instructive tone and bearing
of authority that kept his people within
the metes and bounds of his despotc
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 subord-
mates, big strong man, had got mad
with him. His rage had been boiling in
him for several days, and some fresh at
front at the spring caused his anger to
become ungovernable; he drew'his sword
and rushed at his captain, swearing be
would kill him. Fannon had stretched
his light form upon the sward, 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 Fan
non, in his quick and sharp tone. He
lay still, calm, and selfpossessed, with
his keen dark eyes fixed upon the raging
lieutenant, as Sse4ss-==Ssas-Sa tremendous
plunge at Els breast. But VIXEN the
stroke came, its object swerved away like
a srake, aud the baf1fed man plunged his
sword in the ground. Quick as light
ming lannon's sharp blade passed through
his gigantic frame" Thus, and thus, |
punish those who disregard my authori
ty ?" and his eyes g!owed and sparkled
like se:pant's. The man sank to the
earth forever.
But "Fannon's Mare" is written at
the top of this sheet, and she is the hero
inc Of this present writing, Achilles had
his XanthuS and Balus, and Podargm :.
Alexander had his Bucephaius M'Don,
aid his Selim. Fannon was man of
blood like them, and like them he had
his favorite and trusty charger and
lannon's mare was worthy of her owner,
or " even better man." He called her
the Red Doe, from her resemblance in
color to deer. She was rare animal
fleet, powerful iasaGllligent, docile as a
lamb ; and her owner valued her, | dare
say, above king or country. or the life of
his fellow man. She bore him proudly
aud fearlessly in the bloody skirmish or
the quick retreat. When he stood in
the noisy council of his partisans, or the
silent ambush, the faithful brute was by
his side, ever ready TO bear him whittier
Soever he would.
Down on the east of Little river the
partisan and some four or five of his fol
lowers one day captured man by the
name of Hunter, q POLITICAL opponent,
from the country about Salisbury. This
was sufficient cause Of death, and Fannon
told the man he should hang him. Hunter
was evidently a man of his time; but
what could he do, alone and defenseIess.
with half a dozen bitter enemies i? 1t
was case of complete DESPERATION
The rope was ready, and strong old
oak threw out its eeAAgSsnient branches
Fannon told him he migut pray, for his
time was come. The poor man kneeled
down, Fannon and his men stood bv, and
the trusty mare stood among them with
the reinS on her neck. They began to be
Impatient for their victim to close his de
votioual exercise. But they soon discov-
cred there was more eli earth than heaven
IN Hunters thoughts, for he suddenly
sprang on Famous mare, bhowed his
head down on her powerful neck, press
ed his heels on her tanks, and darted
away like the wind.
The rifles were leveled in a moment.
/" Shoot high shoot high !" cried Fan.
mon save my mare" The slugs all
whlstled over Hunters back, save one
that told with uuerring aim, which tore
Eand battered his shoulder dreadfully.
lie reeIed on the saddle and felt sick at
heart, but hope was before him, dea h be-
hind him, and -.aelaessss.:sssll- himself 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 fol-
lowed by the trail of blood from his
wounded shoulder. He came to Little
river ; there was no ford the bank was
high, and deep place in the stream be
fore him. But the foe came. He drew
tue rein and clapped his heels to her
sides, and the gallant mare plunged reck-
leSaly 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 Of evading his pur
suers, and she reared and dashed through
the flashing waters OF the shoal like
lightning III the storm cloud.
But Fannon was on the trail, and
rushing down the bank with all the mad
energy that the l6ss~o4G4s4s favorite could
inspire. Hunter turned the mare to the
opposite bank it was steep-seyeral feet
OF perpendicular rock: but she planted
herself on the shore at bound, and then
away she flew over the lnterminable for
est Of pines, straight aud swift as an
arrow-that admirable mare
On and on did the generous brute bear
her masters foemam, till the pursuers
were left hopelessly behind. Late in the
evening Hunter rode into Salisbury, had
the slug extracted from his shoulder, and
after lingering some time with the effects
of his wound and excitement, finally got
well. And that gallant mare that had
done him such good service, he kept and
cherished till she died of old age.
gcsy- The Lancaster (Pa.) Union tells
good story of the President. 1t seems
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