O.

"I say, men, the story of Bunker Hill is old enough, and the events of
that day have caused enough dispute already. We know that we taught the
red-coats a good, round lesson, and we shouldn't fight about
particulars. Now, young men, I'll tell you a story about a real hero,"
said Pitts.

"Who was he?" enquired Hand.

"His name was Peter Francisco, and he was a trooper in our army,"
replied Pitts. "Now, I'll tell you what he did.

"While the British troops were spreading havoc and desolation all around
them, by their plundering and burnings in Virginia, in 1781, Peter
Francisco had been reconnoitring, and whilst stopping at the house of a
Mr. Wand, in Amelia county, nine of Tarleton's cavalry coming up with
three negroes, told him he was a prisoner. Seeing himself overpowered by
numbers, he made no resistance; and believing him to be very peaceable
they all went into the house, leaving the paymaster and Francisco
together. He demanded his watch, money, &c., which being delivered to
him, in order to secure his plunder, he put his sword under his arm,
with the hilt behind him. While in the act of putting a silver buckle
into his pocket, Francisco, finding so favourable an opportunity to
recover his liberty, stepped one pace in his rear, drew the sword with
force under his arm and instantly gave him a blow across the skull. His
enemy was brave, and though severely wounded, drew a pistol, and, in the
same moment that he pulled the trigger, Francisco cut his hand nearly
off. The bullet grazed his side. Ben Wand (the man of the house) very
ungenerously brought out a musket, and gave it to one of the British
soldiers, and told him to make use of that. He mounted the only horse
they could get, and presented it at his breast. It missed fire.
Francisco rushed on the muzzle of the gun. A short struggle ensued, in
which the British soldier was disarmed and wounded. Tarleton's troop of
four hundred men were in sight. All was hurry and confusion, which
Francisco increased by repeatedly hallooing, as loud as he could, 'Come
on, my brave boys! now's your time! we will soon despatch these few, and
then attack the main body!' The wounded man flew to the troop; the
others were panic-struck, and fled. Francisco seized Wand, and would
have despatched him, but the poor wretch begged for his life; he was not
only an object of contempt, but pity. The eight horses that were left
behind, he gave him to conceal. Discovering Tarleton had d