The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-08-22

household sailed forth from pack
door.
The scene was terrific. The night was
pitchy dark, and when, just as they
stepped out, sheet of flame belched
forth from the vessels, it seemed to be
almost against their faces. The roar
shook the ground. The troops were too
busy saving themselves to notice the fu-
gitives, and they pushed on as rapidly as
possible.
No one was sufficiently protected from
the rain. Little Mary had the hardest
part, for nearly all the children were in
her care. The mud was deep. Some of
the little ones could walk but short
distance at time, and had to be carried
Mary having always one, sometimes
two, in her arms. Several OF the serv-
ants were near her, but none OF them
seemed to notice her or her burdens.
The last horse had been carried off that
very day; there was no escape but on
foot.
Suddenly, a ball came crashing by
them through the trees Then charge
of grape.shet cut the boughs overhead.
They we're exactly in the range OF the
guns. 1t was evident they had taken the
worst direction, but there was no help
for it now-it was too late to turn back.
In her agony, the mother cried aloud on
God to protect her family. Mary Rugged
closer the child in her arms, and trembled
so she could hardly keep up. Another
crash. The shot shrieked past them,
striking the trees in every direction. The
assault was fierce, the roar was incessant.
The frightened family rushed on as swift
ly as possible toward a friends planta-
ton, far back from the shore; but it was
soon seen that they would not have
strength to reach it, even if they were
not struck down by the flying shot. The
Americans were pouring their fire into
these woods, thinking the enemy would
seek refuge there. The wretched fugi-
tives expected every moment to be the
last. On they pushed through mud and
rain and screaming shot
Soon they found they were getting
more out of the range of the guns. They
began to hope yet now and then ball
tore up the trees around them, or rolled
fearfully across their path. They reached
u
lived, with no one hurt; they were over a
mile from the mansion, and out of range.
The negroes said no shot had come that
way. Unable to flee further, the family
determined to stop here. AS soon as
they entered, Mrs. Gibbes felt her strength
leaving her, and sank upon low bed.
Chilled to the bone, drenched, trembling
with terror and exhaustion, the family
gathered around her. She opened her
eyes and looked about. She sprang up
wildly.
"Oh, Mary" she cried, "where is
John2"
The little girl turned pale, and moaned
sob, mother! mother! he's let!" She
broke into crying. The negroes, quickly
pathetic, began to wiring their hands
and wall.
"Silencer' said Mr. Gibbes, with stern
but trembling voice. The tears were in
her own eyes. The little child now miss
ing was very dear to them all, and, more
over, was deemed sacred charge, as he
was one of the orphan children of Mr.
! Gibbes's sister, intrusted to him on hel
death bed.
The wailing ceased; there was silence
broken only by sobs, and the master
asked:
"Who is willing to go back for tht
childw
No one spoke. Mr.. Gibbes turned tC
his wife for counsel. AS the two talked
in low tones, Mrs. Gibbes called her hus
bands attention to Mary, who was kneel
ing with clasped hands, in prayer, at the
foot of the bed. In moment, the little
maid rose, and came to them, saying
calmly:
Mother, I must go back after baby
"Oh, my child" cried the mother, in
agony, ~ cannot let you!"
"But, mother, l must" pleaded Mary
God will care for me-"
1t was fearful responsibility. The
guns yet roared constantly through the
darkness; the house might now be in
flames; it might be filled with carnage
and blood. Mrs. Gibbes turned to hel
husband. His face was buried in his
hands. Plainly, she must decide it her,
self. With streaming eyes, she looked
at Mary.
Come here, my child" she called
through her sobs. Mary fell upon hel
mothers neck. One long, passionate
embrace, in which all a mothers love
and devotion were poured out, and the
clinging arms were opened without 6
word. Mary sprang up, kissed her ia
theirs forehead, and sped forth on hel
dangerous mission Of love.
The rain had now ceased, but the night
was still dark and full of terrors, fol
through the trees she saw the frequent
flashes of the great guns. The woods
were filed with the booming echoes, Sc