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

Z BARBARA DARE
{ AND THE FRIGATE.
: A Story of the Revolution.
s BY HENRY {. HAYDOCK.
AN'NPNVVPNAENNHNVVVVNhNRVNINNNQp
BY HENRY {. HAYDOCK.


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 ill. 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.
1t was 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 boy,
to take 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 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 il 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
swain's whistle. The frigate came
about, and she saw they were preparing
to lower 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.
ticed how cold and chilly the air was
as it swept in from the sea, and she
realized that it would never do to take
her sick sister from her room into the
open air, for it would probably mean
death to her.
She reentered the house hastily, went
to the room and beckoned her brother
"You must run over to the village and
tell the people the British are about to
land. L will stay here until you can get
uncle and return"
The boys eyes grew black with ex-
element.
"You stay here alone and face them!"
he said.
"Yes." she answered; "there is no
other way"
Nor did she look afraid, as she stood
there with an air of dauntless bravery
about her.
You're fine!" her brother ex-
claimed. Then he rushed through the
door with a parting shout: Il won t
be gone long"
Now that she was left entirely alone,
BaTbara's courage for the moment gave
way, but only for 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 the 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 passageway which
| connected the extension and the main
| portion of the house.
AS she entered the main room her
eyes fell upon a huge fireplace, in
which there had not been a fire for
some time. The fireplace was directly
beside the door leading into the pas
saga, the door that she must guard
How should she guard itP 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 a very small keg, but it held
enough for the purpose for which she
wished to use it. 1t took her only q
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. I'm.
derneath this she fixed a huge pair OF