The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-09-16
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: BARBARA DARE
AND THE FRIGATE.
"A Story of the Revolution.
BARBARA DARE sat alone on the
BY HENRY {. HAYDOCK.

BARBARA DARE sat alone on the
beach. looking out at the ocean as
it stretched away into the blue of the
horizon.
She had stepped out of the Old ram
bling farmhouse behind her for a few
minutes rest, leaving her young broth
er to watch by the bedside of her little
sister, who was very i'll. Everyone was
away. Her father and elder brother
were in the continental army. Her
uncle, an old man, who had stayed at
home since the war began, had gone to
the mill that afternoon.
It was a dark hour for the American
cause; battle after battle had been
fought, and the troops, weary and for
the time discouraged, were slowly re-
treating.
Barbara was thinking of this, and
wished that she were a man, to go into
the thickest of the fight. or even a boy,
to take a drum and lead on the troops.
She sighed as she glanced at her skirts,
then, resting her chin upon her hand,
again looked out to sea. To be sure, her
life had not been devoid of excitement,
for even now there were munitions of
war buried under the woodpile in the
extension of the house, but they had
never been touched since they had been
placed there, together with the family
valuables. 1t was, indeed, a good place
to hide the muskets, for the house was
in retired situation, and it was very
seldom anyone came near it.
As Barbara thought of this she turned
her head, then started to her feet, for
there in the offing was frigate slowly
working its way in shore. Her back
having been partially turned in that
direction. she had not noticed it until
now, and was very much surprised to
see how near it was. She rose at once
and started toward the house to get the
spyglass.
As she ran she remembered all the
instances she had heard of English
ships landing men who ransacked farm
houses. sometimes leaving them in
flames when they returned to their
boats
She wouldn't worry, at any rate, for
the frigate might only be passing along
the coast, or it might be an Ameri-
can man-of-war. She was soon out on
the beach again. The ship was much
nearer. As she looked at it through the
glass she saw flying from the masthead
the English flag.
AS she watched and listened she
heard the shrill sound of the boat
swans whistle. The frigate came
ABOUT and she saw they were preparing
to lower a boat.
her worst fears were now realized.
what should she do? The first thought
was to take the children and run, leav-
ing the house to its fate. Then she no.
ueed 'how cold and chilly the air was
as II swept in from the sea, and she
.eaiized that it would never do to take
her sick sister from her room into the
open air, for it would probably mean
death 20 her.
one reentered the house hastily, went
70 the room and beckoned her brother.
lou must run over to the village and
,eii the people the British are about to
!sno' Twill stay here until you can get
uncle and return"
Inc boys eyes grew black with ex-
element.
!, lou stay here alone and face them"
he said.
Yes she answered; "there is no
other way"
fer minute her brother regarded
..f admlringly. \ girl not over IS, trim
WV shght, to face alone the boats
.eu'pany Of man-of-war. Unjust stay
WIN yoa!' he exclaimed.
o. she answered, "you can do The
Sass good by go,ag to The yillsss