Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/190

148 often alone and, when her husband was away, beyond help, yet she was sure she was perfectly safe. "Mind you take care of yourself anyhow", were my last words, "and don't let those savages kill you."

She only laughed as she waved adieu.

[Alas! I must here insert the fate that befell this poor woman. Their plantation was about five miles inland from the coast, on the side of Mount Beautemps Beaupré. On the morning of 2nd April 1902 Herr Wolff went out early to super-intend the work of his plantation. Frau Wolff had staying with her a half-caste Samoan lady, Miss Coe. A number of natives approached the front of the house with a pig for sale, and, whilst the two ladies were bargaining with them, an armed native suddenly rushed through from the back of the house and dealt poor Frau Wolff a terrific blow on the back of the head with his axe, which felled her to the ground, and instantly struck Miss Coe on the neck, and, as she was falling, gave her another stroke on the back of the head; but her knot of hair caused the blade to glance aside, and she fell off the verandah to the ground, seven feet below, stunned, but still conscious. Thinking her dead, they left her there. Then the savage yelled, and hundreds of concealed natives rushed forth, and to the house, actually springing over Miss Coe's body. They were all yelling, and killed any of the Wolff servants they came across, including the native nurse and Frau Wolff's little baby, and destroying everything they could.

Just as this commenced Herr Wolff rode up, was fired at with his own guns, and, seeing he was helpless to oppose them, rode off for assistance. Meanwhile Miss Coe—a young girl—lay overcome with terror awaiting death. Some one touched her, and she found it was the brave and faithful