UNIV. OF

FIFTH READER

VINNQUE

THE GIRL OF THE LIGHTHOUSE — I

During our second war with England many cities and towns along the eastern coast of the United States suffered severely from attacks by English war vessels. In the late fall of 1813 the following incident occurred on the coast of Maine.

Within a few miles of one of the thriving towns of this state a lighthouse had been erected. It stood at the extremity of a rocky spur of land which extended some distance from the mainland. The lights were kept by one Seth Hopkins, whose only companion was his daughter Ruth, a girl of fourteen years. From the lighthouse point the land made a deep curve, forming an extensive bay. The town was located at the head of this bay, about three miles from the point.

One evening at the time of our story, as Mr. Hopkins was preparing to light his lamps, he observed two large vessels sailing in from the open sea. Although twilight had fallen, the practiced eye of the lighthouse keeper saw that the ships were war vessels, but he could not

determine whether they were English or American. When they had reached a point about a mile from the lighthouse, the sails were furled and the ships anchored. From the sides of both vessels boats were lowered, manned, and rowed rapidly towards the shore.

Mr. Hopkins now felt certain that the war ships were English. What to do he knew not. The town was three miles distant, and the one road that led from the lighthouse to the mainland would soon be in the hands of the English. The high land of the coast concealed the vessels and boats from the people of the town, and Mr. Hopkins feared that his friends would not know of their peril until it was too late to act. But he did not dare leave his lights, which were now shining brightly over the water.

He called down to his daughter Ruth. In a few minutes the girl was with her father and had learned the news.

"What can we do, Ruth, to save our friends?" the keeper asked. "You know that for some time the people in the town have been gathering stores and ammunition for the American ships expected next week. I fear that these will now fall into the hands of the English. Moreover, the men from these ships may fire the town and take some of our people to England as prisoners of war." Perhaps they are American vessels, father," said Ruth. "Nay, daughter"; and the keeper again peered into the distance. "If they were friends, they would have sailed boldly into the harbor, and passed without fear the

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fortifications erected to protect the town. See, Ruth, the first boats have already made the shore, and others are leaving the vessels!"

"Then, father," said Ruth, "I will warn our friends of their danger."

"You, my child! You could not now reach the town by the lighthouse road. It is carefully guarded by this time, for these men must know that their approach has been seen by us."

“But, father, I do not intend to go by land; I shall go by water."

"Why, Ruth, from here to the town is a long threemile row. You could not stand it on such a night. See how the wind has come up since dark. Those clouds look like a storm; in fact, child, I fear it is raining now. No, I cannot think of it. We can only hope that some one else will give the warning."

"But father, I shall not row to the town. My plan is to row straight across the bay to Head Point, which is less than a mile from here; from Head Point to Mr. Benson's store is about two miles. I shall take Captain with me in the boat, and we can fasten to his collar a note for Mr. Benson. Captain has often carried messages for us before this, and as soon as we land I shall send him ahead. He will reach the town in a very short time."

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Ruth, my brave girl, to row across the bay now in the face of this wind and storm would be the height of

folly. You could not hold the boat to its course and might be blown out to sea. If that could be done, I would do it myself, but I dare not leave the lights."

"No, father, you must not leave the lighthouse. Some of the English will soon be here, and if they find you at your post they will not suspect the truth. I will go. It will be a dreadful blow to our friends if they are surprised, and we must do all in our power to save them."

Bravely the girl begged for consent until her father with heart almost breaking, said: "Then, Ruth, go, and God be with you. Whatever we are to do, must be done at once."

ammunition

fortifications

suspect

THE GIRL OF THE LIGHTHOUSE - II

Leaving the lights, Mr. Hopkins and Ruth quickly descended to their living room. While the girl wrote a short letter the father opened the door and called, "Captain!" A great Newfoundland dog bounded into the room. Around his neck Ruth securely fastened a handkerchief, inside of which the letter was placed. Then with her arm around the noble dog's neck the girl spoke to the companion she had chosen.

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Captain, dear friend, you must be a brave dog tonight. You are coming with me across the bay. When

we reach the other side you must hurry to the town, to Mr. Benson's store. You will do it, Captain, won't you, for me and father and our friends?"

The dog seemed to understand every word as he watched Ruth with intelligent eyes. When she had finished, a wagging of his tail and a shaking of his head seemed to be an answer, plain and strong, to her question.

In a few minutes father, daughter, and Captain were at the little dock. It was raining hard by this time, and the wind had become higher offshore. Again Mr. Hopkins would have stopped the girl, but she would not listen. With the light of a lantern she carried, she saw that everything was in place and Captain stowed safely in the bottom of the boat. Then throwing her arms about her father's neck she kissed him again and again.

"Thank you, dear father, for letting me go. Do not fear, I shall land safely at Head Point and send Captain on his race for the town. As for myself, I shall make my way to the nearest house on the shore road. When I reach it I will try to signal you by lights. If you should not see them do not worry. The lights may not show because of the storm, but I shall be safe, for God and your prayers will protect me."

Once more the girl kissed her father and then stepped into the boat, which was rocking violently with the wind and the waves. In a moment she had seized the oars and with a brave voice had called out, "Now, father, push off."