The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-22

~ the moi Of blacks commenced hurling
burning brands IN the palm leaf roof.
inc Morgan family, overpowersd with
griof at the loss Of this children, who they
believed had persisted IN the burning house
like many others on that horrible night
made their escape. They embarked tho
next day in canoes. making their why down
the river toward tho coast, knowing all too
well they we're pursued by the blacks.
Maria, the heroic girl, felt that all tho
sha kept well away in she forest. until they
were several days journey toward the
cORst.
When they approached tho river again.
the abandoned plantations, the ruined
m were proof that the blacks were
cautions. There WAS no difficulty about
food, AZ that could be had at every clearing.
but May was only six and Walter eight. so
their progress Was SLOW.
On the eighth day of their journey they
came upon q small canoe, hidden on a trib-
utary stream a short distance from the
river. Maria soon found the paddle, and
that night the weary children lay vt rest on
a bed OF leAvos in the canoe, covered with
their blankets. Maria, too, slept, n the
boat glided down the river borne by the
current.
At the first dawn OF day Maria kept close
to the shore, and soon forced the canoe I'M
der n heavy screen Of foliage, overhangin2
from the bank. There the three had an.
other long delicious rest. The carpenter
bee knew they were there and told the
humming bird; q squirrel saw them but
Usher, who liked the cool shade of the spot,
aaw they were only three tired children fast
asleep.
Far into tho night they must have slept.
when Maria woke and got the canoe out
into the current aRnin. She began to hope
! l III = fa Vyan xNprk. tl,- A1..
and faced them on their wetery path.
Maria saw nothing to alarm her. but she
kept close under the shadow of the great
trees and cliff whenever she coulI. The
children were talking of home as they lay
IN the bottom Of the canoe and Watching
the flight of macaws and swift-winged par
rokeets above them, when they were startled
by Marla's voice, saving. in a low fright
ened tone: Lie down! Cover your heads!
Silence!'
Tbs boat was In a strong current, and
aided now by the swift strakes of the paddle,
it had turned around the base of a cliff and
shot out in full view of a group of blacks
squetting or lying about a fire on the shelv-
ing bank. With all her strength and skill
Maria used her padnle. for as she faced
partly toward the group she had looked into
the fierce eyes of Waku.
Waku, frantic with passion, shouted,
stop! stop, OF | shoot you deadv'
He had to reach his gun first, and the
brave girl was by that time sixty yards
away. Three guns were fired and two bull
let's lodged in the canoe. Maria changed
her paddle and crossed the current coward
the other shore. TIT negroes had launched
their canoe and now six paddles flashed in
the yellow glare of the sunlight, coming in
swift pursuit, Waku standing in the bow
reloading his gun.
Around another rocky point another
voice shouted. But Maria would not stop
then, for the king of England; still it was
an English voice. She glanced hurriedly
back over her shoulder. She saw the scar
let banner. the GROSS of st. George, on a
flagstaff an the ROCKY point she had passed
a few moments before. but suddenly sight
and strength failed her, she drew in the
paddle. falling forward at the feet of the
frightened children.
Size had tainted from loss of blood; only
a hesh wound in right ARM said the sur
geon of the "Vixen," shortly after.
Waku was a worry foolish negro whom he
turned the gun upon tho marine who hailed
him; before he could use it he and two of
his companions were badly wounded, and
thew were soon prisoners OF board the
Vixen"
When her Britanio majesty's cutter
reached Georgetown again there wa a joy
full meeting between parents and children
within the walls of Fort William Frederick,
and here little Maria was safe forever from
Waku. She had surely proved her graft
tude to the Mo,Rans.
Copyright.