The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-09-16
ON not afraid of them; they will not

nm not AFRAID OF them; they will not
harm girl"
Nor did she look afraid, as she stood
there with an air of dauntless brovery
about her.
You're fne!" her brother ex-
CLAIMED. Then he rushed through tho
door with parting shout: Il won't
be gone long"
Now that she was left entirely alone.
Earoara's courage for the moment pave
way, but only fol' moment, and then
she was thinking how to act. She was
not SO sure she could protect the place.
because she was girl, and if they
found the buried muskets they would
surely burn the house, and then her
sister would have to be taken out into
the chill sea air.
there was one way to prevent this
keep them from entering the extern
sion. Her sisters room was in tho ex-
tension, and underneath the room were
the buried muskets. She must do this
by strategy if possible. She descended
the stairs as she thought, and went
| through the long passagewav which
| connected the extension and the main
portion of the house.
| AS she entered the main room ber
eyes fell upon huge fireplace. in
| which there had not been a fire for
some time: The fireplace was directly
| beside the door leading into the pas-
sage, the door that she must guard
| How should she guard it? AS she
| thought she noticed the brick oven in
| the fireplace, the door of which was
ajar; then an expression of triumph
came over her face.
She acted at once upon the thought
went to the back of the house, and re-
turned with small keg of powder,
1t was very small keg, but it held
enough for the purpose for which she
wished to use it. 1t took her onlv a
minute to open the oven door and put
it inside. She closed the door almost
tight, then stopped, and in the oppo-
site corner of the fireplace arranged
some fagots and kindling wood. Tn
derneath this she fixed a huge pair of
bellows. The bellows were black
smiths bellows, her uncle having been
blacksmith. He had rugged them up
by the fireplace, and laughingly said
they reminded him of old times.
Lighting the fire would in no way
endanger exploding the powder, the
fireplace being too large and the fire too
small; but should she pull down on the
lever of the bellows, a line of fire would
shoot up alongside the oven, and, en-
tering the crack left by the partly
opened door, would ignite the powder
IF the worst comes to the worst -
she said, aloud, as>if to give herself
courage. Men have shown what they
could do in this war; l will show what
girl can do"
Already her quick ears caught the
sound of the grating of a boat upon The
beach. She ran to the window and
looked out. Sailors and marines, head
ed by coars~ looking man clad in the
uniform of al officer, came troopins
up the beach.
She stepped back hastily and lighted
the fagots upon the hearth. AS the
small flame licked the wood and the
fire started, there came loud rap upon
the door.
The fire, though small, was burning
briskly. Placing herself with her back
against the door leading to the eNten-
sion, with one hand upon the handle
of the bellows, she said: "Come in
But they had not waited for her to
answer, and, treading close upon one
another's heels, the officer and three
men entered the room, the rest of the
company remaining outside. The otli-
Ger was a coarse-featured, cruel-look-
ing man.
"Where's the old MANI" he shouted
1--WE want to see him, and quickly,
too"
II am the only one at home,' she an
swered.
That's pretty lie," he said, "but
it won't do. We're going to search this
house, anyway. If we find the man
we think you've hidden, or rebel goods,
we'll burn the house."
II have a little sister who is very
SICK" she said; you can search every
where you wish, but in her room.''
Not search there! Why, that is the
very place We'll search. That dodge
has been played upon us too often
Hasn't it, my boys?" he said, turning
to his men as if, even cruel as he was
he would have their support.
The flame on the fireplace was grow
ing larger; the ashes of the burning
wood fell with a white glow upon the
bricks. Barbara saw that with this
man eutreaties would be of no avail.
You can search everywhere but
there" she said. Give me your word
that the room will not be entered, anC
you may go over the whole house, but
l will not allow you to enter thai
room!"
"Will not allow it," The British Off
Ger repeated her words, as if he coulc
not believe his ears. Will not allow
it! Well, that is the most preposterous
thing l have ever heard. You know
what that remark has cost you?-s
kiss! l am going to give you kiss