Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/186

Rh stimulated the younger girl to unwonted exercise, was now given to fear the consequences of a night's exposure in the woods and its attending dangers. She made the younger woman sit down while she took up her burden and went forward to explore. After much wandering she at length reached the crest of a knoll, toward which she bent her faltering footsteps. Looking downward she saw a stretch of land before her, and not far in the distance a house. Her heart gave a great bound, for she knew that the humble dwelling lay on the outskirts of Machias. Hurrying back she aroused the sleeping Rebecca and they headed forward to the cottage which Hannah had seen from the hilltop. Here they rested until morning, for the kind inmates declared that they were fit for nothing but their beds. The next morning they pressed forward, but the sun was high in the sky when the two women made their way into the little town of Machias, which wore a very bustling and important expression. The first words which reached their ears were: "'Margaretta' was captured by brave Jerry O'Brien and his men, and they say the young English captain is like to die from a shot fired by Sam Weston."

Hannah Weston heard the news with joy but some disappointment. "We came to bring this ammunition to the men," she said, "but we have had our pains for nothing." "No," answered Jerry O'Brien, on hearing this, "This pewter is in the nick of time, for I warn you before many days be passed the English will be upon us again. And, Mistress Weston, I promise your bullets shall do good work when our visitors come." History will tell you that Jerry O'Brien was right. In the attack by the British which followed, the pewter, which Hannah Weston's midnight journey through the woods had brought, was passed in bullets from the muskets of the Americans into the ranks of the attackers with bitter and defeating effect.

A merchant presented Hannah and Rebecca with twelve yards of "camlet," which was divided between them and made into two gowns. This was a small pattern for two gowns, but the fashions of our great-grandmothers' days were very simple. Girls of our times would turn up their noses at such a gift, but Hannah and Rebecca Weston were greatly pleased, and for a hundred years their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren kept bits of these famous "camlet" gowns, handing down from one generation to another scraps of the narrow petticoats and short bodices as their most cherished heirlooms.

During the ninety-eight years of her life this heroine of Machias had seen much of toil, sorrow and privation. But neither toil nor hardship nor sorrow quenched her brave spirit or hardened the heart that made this woman always brave to entreat and ready to help and comfort when danger threatened or sorrow came near. For many years the grave of this historic woman lay unmarked in the little sea-coast village of Jonesboro, Maine. Some six years ago her descendants from all parts of the United States joined their efforts with the people of the remote town and at last erected a monument fitting to commemorate the brave Hannah Weston.

On the twenty-fifth day of September, 1777, just two weeks after the battle of the Brandywine, the British Army entered Germantown. On the same day, but