America knew many glorious pioneers: the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan, the wild prairie cowboy Pecos Bill, the good farmer Johnny Appleseed and many more “golden cockerels”, famous for their strength, courage and great deeds.
So was Peter Francisco from Virginia. People are always ready to tell about his rare strength and fearless exploits.
We would like to tell three exciting and funny stories about him, but, unfortunately, there is not enough space.
Peter came to Virginia from afar, they say even from Portugal, well, but that’s not relevant now. He was picked up on the shore, abandoned there by some heartless sailors, who then fled with full sail. It happened a long time ago in the Hopewell area, near Petersburg, Virginia.
Fate turned out to be merciful to the little black-eyed and black-haired boy. He was taken in by Judge Anthony Winston, whose farm was located next door.
The boy grew up big and strong, and soon rumors began to spread about his heroic strength. However, he was a quiet character, did not meddle in other people’s affairs and used his strength when there was an urgent need for it.
Every year he grew in height and strength. By the time he was sixteen, he was almost seven feet tall and weighed over two hundred and fifty pounds. He could lift one adult person with each hand.
The time came when the Americans decided to free themselves from the British crown, and Peter was one of the first to enlist in the rebel army.
He immediately distinguished himself with strength and courage, always finding himself in the thick of battle, and covered himself with unfading glory as a soldier. Everyone, from low-ranking officers to generals, knew about his exploits.
General George Washington had a six-foot long sword specially ordered for him, and Peter waved it like a feather.
General Lafayette was his best friend, in fact, like everyone with whom he was in the same ranks.
When the war ended, he returned to a peaceful and prosperous life, opened a hotel and boarding house, but never forgot about his great deeds. We will tell you only about one incident from his peaceful days, and you will see for yourself that it was not in vain that Peter Francisco earned both the praise and love of many people.
One day he sat on the veranda of his house and recalled with pleasure the battle with Colonel Tarnton's dragoons, in which he scattered half a dozen horsemen with one hand. And suddenly Peter heard the clatter of horse hooves approaching the hotel.
- Luck! A traveler is coming who will need food and bed! - And he stared at the road impatiently.
Soon a large, rather impudent-looking fellow appeared on horseback.
“Good afternoon, sir,” Peter greeted him politely. —Are you looking for a place to stay? Please, we have as many free rooms as you like.
—Are you Peter Francisco? - the horseman yelled in a thunderous voice, so that it could probably be heard for seven miles around.
- Well, I am. Maybe you'll get off your horse and go in?
- My name is Pamphlet. I rode all the way from Kentucky to whip you for no reason whatsoever.
“Well, it’s not difficult to arrange, my friend Pamphlet,” said Peter, smiling. “Hey, someone’s there!” - he shouted.
A servant came out onto the veranda.
“Be kind,” Peter told him, “go and break some longer and stronger willow twigs!” Then you will give them to this gentleman who rode up from Kentucky.
The servant hurried into the garden.
“My servant, dear Mr. Pamphlet, will save you from unnecessary troubles and worries so that you can do what you came for.”
Pamphlet looked at Peter in bewilderment: why didn’t this famous hero even get angry? He thought for a moment, then jumped off his horse and led him by the bridle through the gate, then through the front garden, the pride of Mrs. Francisco, and approached the very veranda on which Peter was sitting. Pamphlet was a large, heavyset man who walked awkwardly. He looked for a long time at Peter, who was resting his head on the ceiling of the veranda, then slowly said:
- Mr. Francisco, would you allow me to know what your weight is?
- Please, if you are interested. - And Peter went down from the veranda into the garden.
The newcomer from Kentucky threw down the reins of his horse and, gathering all his strength, lifted Peter off the ground several times.
-Yes, you are heavy, Mr. Francisco.
“People say that too, Mr. Pamphlet,” Peter remarked, laughing. “And now, my dear Mr. Pamphlet, who came here to whip me for no reason at all, I would like to check your weight... Allow me to lift you up to find out how much you weigh.”
Peter Francisco leaned forward slightly and easily picked up Pamphlet from the ground. He did this twice, and the third time he raised it higher and - hop! - threw it over the garden fence.
The pamphlet lay there for a while, then slowly stood up. He hurt himself in the fall, though not badly, and looked at Peter very hostilely.
“It turns out you kicked me out of your garden,” he remarked sarcastically. “Then, please, show me my horse too.”
-With great pleasure, sir!
Peter calmly walked up to the horse. Didn't he once lift a one-hundred-pound cannon with one single hand? A horse probably weighs less?
He hooked his left hand under the horse's belly, and with his right hand he grabbed it below the tail, spread his legs more steadily, strained all his muscles, and with one mighty jerk lifted the frightened animal and sent it after its owner through the fence.
Pamphlet looked at all this with his mouth open. Then slowly and with great respect he said:
“Mr. Francisco, I am now completely satisfied, for I have seen with my own eyes that your reputation as a great strongman is honestly deserved.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Peter, smiling affably. - Thank you! The next time you pass by, you are welcome to stop by.
The pamphlet galloped away, and Peter returned to his place on the veranda, from where he admired the Virginia flowers and the Virginia sun.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru