Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-08-07

| courage. Men nave SHOWN WhaJNthey
could do in this war; will show what
a girl can do"
Already her quick ears caught the
sound of the grating of boat upon the
beach. She ran to the window and
looked out. Sailors and marines, head
ed by coarse-looliing man clad in the
uniform of an officer, came troopinp
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 lNrning
briskly. Placing herself with her back
against the door leading to the extcn-
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 otfi-
Ger was a coarse-featured, cruel-look-
ing man.
where's the old man?' he shouted.
eve want to see him, and quickly,
too"
II am the only one at home," she an
swered
That's a 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"
Il have a little sister who is very
Ie;o eh,
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 entreaties would be of no avail.
You can search everywhere but
there she said. Give me your word
that the room will not be entered, and
you may go over the whole house, but
l will not allow you to enter that
room!"
Ger repeated her words, as if he could
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?-a
kiss! l am going to give you kiss
remark that deserves kiss"
Suddenly from back in the direction
of the hills came the sharp crack of n
rifle; a moment more and from another
direction came the dull report of mus
ket.
The officer pricked UP his ears. The
people We're rising. Those reports
meant that they knew the British had
landed, and that they were tiocking to-
gether and would soon be lowering
about him.
"Come on, men!" he said; 1--WE will
search the house quickly, but will have
my kiss first" And he stepped for
| ward.
stand back!" Barbara said.
Without knowing why he did SO, he
obeyed her. Something about that
1.-the, graceful, resolute figure looked
dangerous, even though it were only
girl. He hesitated but for moment,
and then took rapid step forward.
AT the same moment he saw a line of
fire suddenly spring from the embers
on the hearth; then the huge chin
ney, as if it would itself protect its own
hearthstone and the girl beside it.
leaned over; there was the deafening
crash of an explosion, and the chin
ney hurled itself forward.
mi. M II Ii.
down as if they had suddenly met the
fire of a masked battery.
Barbara, protected in great meas
ure by the huge wall of the chimney,
found to her surprise that she was still
living, and had only lDeen hurled
against the doorway. Even in her
dazed condition, she saw there was only
one of the men who was crawling to-
ward the doorway. The officer did not
stir as he lay before the demolished
fireplace.
just then the door was pushed open
by the rest of the boats crew, but they
halted on the threshold Through the
blue haze of the explosion they saw
their comrades lying upon the floor.
wounded or unconscious. Barbara's
| straight, glrnSh inquire was outlined
through the smoke against the back
ground of the door she guarded. Her
face, pale and wan, yet firm with cour-
age and resolve, confronted them
through the haze. Even us they looked,
a piece of the chimney, which had been
loosened by the explosion, but which
had not as yet given way, fell with a
crash at their feet.
The peculiar character of the eXplo-
sion, the condition of their comrades,
the loss of their officer, and, last of all,
the mysterious look of girl alone fac
ing them, caused strange dread to
creep over the superstitious sailors,
and, as if to heighten it, there came the
sharp crack of rifles now close at hand.
A panic seized them, and their cry was
Back to the boats!" Lifting their