Short Stories from American History

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ...none nearer than my cabin. Who's to go for it?" Every man and every boy in that band of heroes wished to go. "No, no, indeed! Not a man shall go; we have n't one to spare; let me go!" cried Elizabeth Zane, a fair young girl, sister to Captain Zane. In vain did they try to keep her back. "No, Betty, you must not run the risk!" cried all the men; "you '11 be killed!" "Besides, Betty, you can't run fast enough; you are only a girl," said a boy. "But I am going," Elizabeth said. "You have wasted too much time already. Look at those Indians creeping out of the woods." The men and boys looked ashamed. "Let me go; I can run as fast as any of you," said the girl. "If I am killed, I shall not be missed as a man would be. Somebody pin up my hair so it won't be loose for the Indians to catch hold of." Carefully the big gate was opened just wide enough for Elizabeth to slip out. She gave one loving look at her brothers. Her dark eyes were shining, but in her face there was not a sign of fear as she walked slowly across the open space to her brother's log cabin. The Indians hiding in the bushes saw the gate open and gazed in wonder to see the girl, bareheaded and with sleeves rolled up, quietly walk out of the fort as if for a morning stroll. "Squaw! squaw!" they shouted, but did not fire a shot. Elizabeth had now reached the cabin and found the keg of powder. In breathless silence the watchers at the loopholes saw the girl appear in the doorway with the keg of powder clasped in her arms. She stopped a moment and gave a quick glance at the fort, which seemed a long way off. "Now it is death to my poor sister! Why did we ever let her go?" said...