Scarcely were they out of danger when a loud explosion told them of their narrow escape, and, looking back, they saw the wagon and its contents completely disappear in the smoke. 7. On that very day the young sergeant was in the famous charge on the San Antonio gate of the City of Mexico, which was one of the bravest ever made, and of which the Mexicans say that it was no wonder they were defeated when attacked by demons in the form of men. 8. In this war the American soldiers, with hardly a repulse, advanced from the Rio Grande, through a series of hard-fought battles and brilliant victories, until they planted the stars and stripes in triumph on the ramparts of the City of Mexico. II. 1. The women of America have not allowed the men to bear away the palm for bravery. They have borne their part always and everywhere. Timid, shrinking girlhood has leaped into heroism, and mothers have suddenly ceased the cradle-song to seize the gun and defend their homes against the cruel red man. 2. And so it happened that when, in 1777, Fort Henry, on the Ohio River, was attacked suddenly by a band of Indians led by a tory, it was saved by the bravery of a schoolgirl. 3. As soon as the presence of the Indians was known, the people hurried from their homes in the village into the fort, which was strongly built of logs. And it needed all its strength, for only twelve men were left to Colonel Shepherd, the commander of the fort, while outside hundreds of cruel Indians were thirsting for their blood. 4. But these men were good marksmen, and they withstood so bravely every attack of the savages that all were hopeful of the result, when suddenly they found that their small stock of powder was nearly gone. Then it was remembered that in one of the houses about sixty yards from the fort there was hidden a small keg of powder. 5. To get this was the only hope of success. in But how to get it was the question. With Indians every direction and watching behind every tree, it seemed impossible for any one to reach the house and return in safety. 6. Still all were anxious to volunteer on this dangerous service, and, while they were disputing for the perilous honor, Elizabeth Zane, a schoolgirl of seventeen, begged that she might be allowed the privilege of going for the powder. 7. Of course the men refused her request. It was not a woman's place, they said, to expose her life when there were men ready to go. Whoever went would certainly be killed, and at least a man would stand a better chance, as he could run more rapidly. 8. But Elizabeth replied that she knew the danger, and that if she were killed or captured her loss would not be felt, while not a single man could well be spared from the little garrison. 9. At length, much against their will, the men yielded to her persistence, and she darted from the gate and ran like a deer toward the house, while twelve guns covered her path should the Indians try to capture her. 10. The Indians saw her as she ran across the open space, but did not fire at her, probably because they thought that she intended to escape into the woods to carry news of the attack to other garri |