espatched ten
more in pursuit of him, Francisco then made off, and evaded their
vigilance. They stopped to refresh themselves, and he, like an old fox,
doubled, and fell on their rear. He went the next day to Wand for his
horses; Wand demanded two for his trouble and generous intentions.
Finding his situation dangerous, and surrounded by enemies where he
ought to have found friends, Francisco went off with his six horses. He
intended to have avenged himself on Wand at a future day, but Providence
ordained he should not be his executioner, for he broke his neck by a
fall from of the very horses."

"Francisco displayed great courage, daring and presence of mind in that
scrape," observed Kinnison. "But I have heard of several encounters
quite equal to it."

"Yes, Francisco displayed great presence of mind, and that's the most
valuable quality of a soldier--it will save him when courage and
strength are palsied. Francisco performed many singular exploits down
South, and had a high reputation. He had much of the dare-devil in his
nature, and it seemed as if dangerous adventures agreed with him better
than easy success. He fought bravely in several battles, and was known
to many of the enemy as a man to be shunned. There wasn't a man among
the red-coats stout-hearted and strong-limbed enough to dare to meet
him. But you said you had heard of several encounters equal to the one I
just narrated," said Pitts.

"I did," replied Kinnison. "Have you ever seen a painting of the fight
between Colonel Allan M'Lean and some British troops? It used to be a
common thing in Boston."

"I have seen the picture," said Hand, "and I should like to hear the
story of the affair. It must have been a desperate fight."

"It was," replied Kinnison. "A man who was intimately acquainted with
McLean, and heard the account from his own lips, told me of it. You may
boast of Francisco's exploits, but here was a man who united the most
daring courage and strength with a very intelligent and quick-working
mind."

THE EXPLOIT OF COL. ALLAN M'LEAN.

"While the British occupied Philadelphia," said Kinnison, "Col. M'Lean
was constantly scouring the upper end of Bucks and Montgomery counties,
to cut off scouting parties of the enemy and intercept their supplies of
provisions."

"Having agreed, for some purpose, to rendezvous near Shoemakertown, Col.
M'Lean ordered his little band of troopers to follow at some distance,
and commanded two of the