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36 chapters
PREFACE
PREFACE
In these pages I have tried to show how women, old and young, in many ranks of life, have proved themselves in times of trial to possess as much courage and daring as men. Some of these 'Brave Women' died for their Master's sake, whilst others, in His cause, passed through dire peril and grievous suffering. All of them counted not their lives dear unto them, so long only as they might do their duty. I have designedly omitted many familiar heroines in the hope of winning attention for some whose
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ALICE AYRES AND THE UNION STREET FIRE
ALICE AYRES AND THE UNION STREET FIRE
'FIRE! FIRE!' It was two o'clock in the morning when this cry was heard in Union Street, Borough, London, and the people who ran to the spot saw an oil shop in flames, and at a window above it a servant girl, Alice Ayres, screaming for help. Some rushed off to summon the fire-brigade, but those who remained feared that before it could arrive the place would be gutted. 'Jump! jump!' they shouted, and stretched out their coats to break her fall. But instead of jumping Alice Ayres disappeared from
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GRACE BUSSELL AND THE WRECK OF THE GEORGETTE
GRACE BUSSELL AND THE WRECK OF THE GEORGETTE
The steamer Georgette had sprung a leak while on a voyage from Fremantle to Adelaide, and the captain knew that there was little hope of saving his ship. But there were forty-eight passengers, including women and children, and to save these and the crew was the great desire of the captain. The ship's lifeboat was lowered, but this too was in a leaky condition, and the eight persons who put off in it were drowned before the eyes of their friends on the Georgette. Seeing, soon, that there was abso
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CATHERINE VASSEUR, THE HEROINE OF NOYEN
CATHERINE VASSEUR, THE HEROINE OF NOYEN
A terrible accident had occurred in one of the streets of Noyen. The men engaged in repairing a sewer had, on finishing their day's work, neglected to take proper precautions for the safety of the public. They had placed some thin planks across the opening, but omitted to erect a barrier or to fix warning lights near the hole, with the result that four workingmen, homeward bound, stepped on the planks and fell through into the loathsome sewer. An excited crowd of French men and women gathered ro
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MARY ROGERS AND THE WRECK OF THE STELLA
MARY ROGERS AND THE WRECK OF THE STELLA
It was at 11.25 on the morning of Thursday, March 30, 1899, that the steamship Stella left Southampton for Guernsey with 140 passengers and 42 crew aboard. Most of the passengers were looking forward to spending a pleasant Easter holiday at Guernsey or Jersey, but a few were natives of the Channel Islands returning from a visit to England. For the first two hours the voyage was uneventful, but at about 1.30 the Stella ran into a dense fog. The ship's speed was not reduced, but the fog-horn was k
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MADELEINE BLANCHET
MADELEINE BLANCHET
The Red Republicans had risen. The factories and private residences of the wealthy inhabitants of Buzançais were in flames, and owners of property, irrespective of age and sex, were being dragged from their hiding-places and murdered. For some months it had been rumoured that the Red Republicans, aggrieved at the high price of bread, intended to rise and kill all who possessed wealth; but the people of Buzançais paid no attention to these rumours, and were consequently unprepared to defend thems
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HANNAH ROSBOTHAM AND THE CHILDREN OF SUTTON SCHOOL
HANNAH ROSBOTHAM AND THE CHILDREN OF SUTTON SCHOOL
On October 14, 1881, a gale raged throughout England, and in all parts of the country there was a terrible destruction of lives and property. Round our coasts ships were wrecked, and the number of lives lost at sea on that day was appalling, while on shore many people were killed by the falling of trees, chimney-pots and tiles. In Sutton, Lancashire, the gale raged with tremendous fury, and the children in the local National School, frightened by the roaring and shrieking of the wind, could pay
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JANE CHALMERS
JANE CHALMERS
Alone among cannibals! One can scarcely imagine a more terrifying experience for a white woman. No matter how friendly people around might be, the knowledge that they were by long habit cannibals, whose huts were adorned with human skulls, would be sufficient to strike terror to the heart of the bravest. One woman is known to have experienced this trying ordeal, and she was a missionary's wife. In the life of that noble missionary, James Chalmers,[ 1 ] we get glimpses of a woman who was indeed a
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ANNA HINDERER, AND THE GOSPEL IN THE YORUBA COUNTRY
ANNA HINDERER, AND THE GOSPEL IN THE YORUBA COUNTRY
'The White Man's Grave' and 'No White Man's Land' are the ominous names that have been bestowed on several unhealthy countries where Europeans have been compelled to reside; but there were none, fifty years ago, more deserving of being so described than Ashantee, Dahomey, and the Yoruba country. Nothing but the prospect of growing rich rapidly would persuade a white man, unless he were a missionary, to live in any of those countries, and a European woman was almost unknown there. One of the firs
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ANN JUDSON, PIONEER WOMAN IN BURMA
ANN JUDSON, PIONEER WOMAN IN BURMA
Ann Judson was not only the first American woman to enter the foreign mission field, but also the first lady missionary, or missionary's wife, to visit Rangoon. She was the daughter of Mr. John Hasseltine, of Bradford, Massachusetts, and was born on December 22, 1789. When nearly seventeen years of age she became deeply impressed by the preaching of a local minister, and decided to do all in her power towards spreading the Gospel. Sunday Schools had been started in America about 1791, but they w
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SARAH JUDSON, PIONEER WOMAN IN BURMA
SARAH JUDSON, PIONEER WOMAN IN BURMA
The boy or the girl who does not at an early age announce what he or she intends to be when 'grown up,' must be a somewhat extraordinary child. The peer's son horrifies his nurse by declaring that he intends to be an engine-driver when he is 'grown up,' and the postman's wife hears with not a little amusement that her boy has decided to be Lord Mayor of London. These early aspirations are rarely achieved, but there are some notable instances of children remaining true to their ambition and becom
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OLIVIA OGREN AND AN ESCAPE FROM BOXERS
OLIVIA OGREN AND AN ESCAPE FROM BOXERS
The Chinese dislike to foreigners settling in their country is so old that one cannot tell when it began. But in 1900 the Boxer rising proved that the anti-foreign feeling is strong as ever, and perhaps more unreasonable, and the whole civilized world was horror-stricken by the news of the massacre of men, women and children, who had been slaughtered, not only because they were Christians, but because they were foreigners. The list of missionaries who were murdered by the Boxers in 1900 is long
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EDITH NATHAN, MAY NATHAN AND MARY HEAYSMAN,
EDITH NATHAN, MAY NATHAN AND MARY HEAYSMAN,
When, in the year 1900, the anti-foreign feeling in China culminated in the massacre of defenceless men and women, the three missionaries whose names head this chapter were working in the city of Ta-ning. The inhabitants of this little city among the hills had always treated the missionaries with kindness, and it was not until Boxer emissaries arrived and stirred up the people by spreading untruths concerning the reason of the foreigners' presence in China, that a change occurred in the behaviou
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MARY RIGGS AND THE SIOUX RISING
MARY RIGGS AND THE SIOUX RISING
Of all the stories that have been written for young people none have been more popular than those describing adventures among the Red Indians of North America. Fenimore Cooper's books have delighted many generations of readers; but on much of the ground where that author's famous characters lived, hunted, fought and died, big towns have sprung up, and the Indians, driven to live in reservations and to become, practically, pensioners of the Government, have been shorn of nearly all their greatnes
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MARY SEACOLE, THE SOLDIERS' FRIEND
MARY SEACOLE, THE SOLDIERS' FRIEND
Florence Nightingales's noble work among the sick and wounded in the Crimean War is known to everyone; but very few people are aware that there was another woman, working apart from Miss Nightingale, who performed deeds of bravery and humanity in the same campaign which entitle her to a high place in any list of brave and good women. Sir William Russell, the famous war correspondent of the Times , wrote, in 1858, of Mary Seacole: 'I have witnessed her devotion and her courage; I have already bor
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LAURA SECORD, A CANADIAN HEROINE
LAURA SECORD, A CANADIAN HEROINE
Many years ago, when His Majesty King Edward VII. was in Canada, he paid a visit to Mrs. Laura Secord, a very old and revered Canadian lady. The news of the visit of the Prince of Wales (for such, of course, His Majesty then was), and the present which he afterwards bestowed upon her, was heard with pleasure throughout Canada, for Laura Secord is a heroine of whom the Canadians are justly very proud. The brave deed for which she is famed is here told: On June 18, 1812, the United States of Ameri
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LADY BANKES AND THE SIEGE OF CORFE CASTLE.
LADY BANKES AND THE SIEGE OF CORFE CASTLE.
During the Great Rebellion many brave deeds were performed by women. Royalists and Parliamentarians each had their heroines, and we can honour them all, irrespective of party, for their devotion to the cause which they had espoused, and rejoice in the fact that they were British women. Lady Bankes was a woman whom Roundheads as well as Cavaliers admitted to be a noble specimen of an English lady. She was the wife of the Right Honourable Sir John Bankes, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and a me
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LADY HARRIET ACLAND.
LADY HARRIET ACLAND.
It was at the beginning of the year 1776 that Major Acland was ordered to proceed with his regiment to America, to take part in the attempt to quell the rising of the colonists. His wife, to whom he had been married six years, at once asked to be allowed to accompany him, but he hesitated to give his consent, being doubtful whether she would be able to bear the hardships of a campaign. Hitherto her life had been one of comfort. She was the third daughter of the first Earl of Ilchester, and her t
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AIMÉE LADOINSKI AND THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW.
AIMÉE LADOINSKI AND THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW.
Napoleon was entering Moscow in triumph. It was night, and the streets of the Russian capital were deserted, but at a window of one house past which the victorious troops were marching sat a French lady, eagerly scanning the faces of the officers. Her husband, Captain Ladoinski, of the Polish Lancers, was somewhere among the troops, but she failed to recognise him as he rode by. Soon, however, he was at her house, and great was the joy of meeting after long separation. After the first greeting,
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LADY SALE AND AN AFGHAN CAPTIVITY
LADY SALE AND AN AFGHAN CAPTIVITY
'Fighting Bob' was the nickname affectionately bestowed upon Sir Robert Sale by his comrades-in-arms. Truly the name was well deserved, for wherever the fight was thickest there Sale was to be found, and the histories of his life abound with stories of his bravery and disregard of danger. When twenty-seven years of age he married Florentia Wynch, a girl of nineteen, who proved before long to be almost as brave as he. Throughout his life she was his companion in danger, and many times nursed him
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ETHEL ST. CLAIR GRIMWOOD, AND THE ESCAPE FROM MANIPUR
ETHEL ST. CLAIR GRIMWOOD, AND THE ESCAPE FROM MANIPUR
Until late in the last century it was a common thing for the ruler of a native Eastern state to celebrate his accession to the throne by slaughtering his brothers and uncles. This drastic measure reduced the possibilities of the new ruler being deposed, and was considered by the majority of the natives a wise precaution. The Maharajah of Manipur was more humane than many rulers, and although he had seven brothers, he refrained from killing any of them. For several years the brothers lived on fri
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THREE SOLDIERS' WIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA
THREE SOLDIERS' WIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA
In December, 1880, a detachment of the 2nd Connaught Rangers was escorting a wagon-train, nearly a mile in length, from Leydenberg to Pretoria. Until more than half the journey had been travelled the Boers, whom the British met on the way, had shown no disposition to be unfriendly, but, one morning, as the convoy slowly wended its way up a hill, studded with clumps of trees, a strong force of Boers jumped out from their places of concealment and called upon the British to surrender. They sent fo
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ELIZABETH ZANE, A FRONTIER HEROINE
ELIZABETH ZANE, A FRONTIER HEROINE
'The Indians are coming!' It was on September 1, 1782, that a scout employed to watch the movements of the Red Indians rushed into the West Virginian village of Wheeling, shouting the dreaded warning of the savages' approach. Instantly the inhabitants took refuge in the fort, and prepared to offer a determined resistance. The fort had no regular garrison, it being the duty of the settlers to defend it. Colonel Silas Zane took command, and felt confident that, although he had only twenty men unde
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NELLIE AMOS, A FRIEND IN NEED
NELLIE AMOS, A FRIEND IN NEED
In the tiny cabin of a canal-boat which had but recently started on its long journey from the Midlands to London, lay a woman seriously ill. And by her side lay her two days' old baby. Her husband was on deck steering the boat, but every few minutes he hurried down to see if there were anything he could do to make his wife comfortable. He could do but little, however. Never before had he felt so helpless; never had he experienced so acutely the isolation of barge-life. The district through which
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ANNA GURNEY, THE FRIEND OF THE SHIPWRECKED
ANNA GURNEY, THE FRIEND OF THE SHIPWRECKED
Anna Gurney was a cripple from her birth. Unable to walk, and consequently debarred nearly all the pleasures of childhood, it would not have been surprising had she become a sad, peevish woman. The fact that her parents were rich, and able to supply her with comforts such as poor cripples could not receive, may have prevented her from becoming depressed, but it must be remembered also that the knowledge that they were in a position to give her every reasonable pleasure a girl could desire might
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GRIZEL HUME, THE DEVOTED DAUGHTER
GRIZEL HUME, THE DEVOTED DAUGHTER
There was rejoicing at Redbraes Castle, Berwickshire, in February, 1676, for Sir Patrick Hume had returned home after seventeen months' imprisonment in Stirling Castle. No one was more delighted at his return than his little ten years' old daughter, Grizel, who loved him dearly, and was proud that he had suffered imprisonment for conscience sake. He had been imprisoned as 'a factious person,' because he refused to contribute to the support of the soldiers stationed in the country for the suppres
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LUCY HUTCHINSON, A BRAVE WIFE
LUCY HUTCHINSON, A BRAVE WIFE
One morning in the spring of 1638 a large number of people had assembled at a Richmond Church to witness the marriage of John Hutchinson, eldest son of Sir Thomas Hutchinson, with Lucy Apsley, the daughter of Sir Allen Apsley. The bride, who was only eighteen years of age, was, according to her contemporaries, exceedingly beautiful and very accomplished; her future husband was learned, well-bred and handsome. Both had a host of friends, and thus it was that a large crowd had gathered at the chur
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LADY BAKER, AN EXPLORER'S COMPANION
LADY BAKER, AN EXPLORER'S COMPANION
When Samuel White Baker decided to make an attempt to discover the sources of the Nile, his young wife determined to accompany him and share his dangers and hardships. On April 15, 1861, they started from Cairo, and after a twenty-six days' journey by boat they disembarked at Korosko, and plunged into the dreary desert. Their camels travelled at a rapid pace, but the heat was terrible, and Mrs. Baker was taken seriously ill before arriving at Berber. She was, however, sufficiently recovered to a
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The Young Girl's Library.
The Young Girl's Library.
TWO GIRLS IN A SIEGE. A Tale of the Great Civil War. By EDITH C. KENYON, Author of "Queen of Nine Days," etc. With Three Illustrations by J. MACFARLANE. THE SHEPHERD'S FAIRY. By the Author of "Mr. Mygale's Hobby." With Three Illustrations. MISS NETTIE'S GIRLS. A Story of London East End Life. By CONSTANCE EVELYN. With Three Illustrations. GWEN'S INFLUENCE. By FRANCES TOFT, Author of "Uncle Ronald," etc. With Three Illustrations by CHARLES HORRELL. CHRISTIE REDFERN'S TROUBLES. By MRS. ROBERTSON.
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POPULAR STORIES BY HESBA STRETTON.
POPULAR STORIES BY HESBA STRETTON.
HALF BROTHERS. By Hesba Stretton. With Four Illustrations by Lancelot Speed. CAROLA. By Hesba Stretton. Illustrated. COBWEBS AND CABLES. By Hesba Stretton. Illustrated. THROUGH A NEEDLE'S EYE. By Hesba Stretton. Illustrated. DAVID LLOYD'S LAST WILL. By Hesba Stretton. Illustrated. THE SOUL OF HONOUR. By Hesba Stretton. With Frontispiece....
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UNIFORM EDITIONS OF STORIES BY EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN.
UNIFORM EDITIONS OF STORIES BY EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN.
Miss Everett-Green has long been known and appreciated as a practised and skilled writer, and while many of her tales are specially suited for girls, they will also be read with profit and interest by adults. The Society is issuing the whole series of her longer stories in a uniform style. THE CONSCIENCE OF ROGER TREHERN. By Evelyn Everett-Green. Illustrated. JOINT GUARDIANS. By Evelyn Everett-Green. With a Frontispiece. MARCUS STRATFORD'S CHARGE; or, Roy's Temptation. By Evelyn Everett-Green. W
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POPULAR STORIES BY MRS. O. F. WALTON.
POPULAR STORIES BY MRS. O. F. WALTON.
THE LOST CLUE. By Mrs. Walton. With Illustrations by Adolf Thiede. A PEEP BEHIND THE SCENES. By Mrs. Walton. Illustrated. WAS I RIGHT? By Mrs. Walton. Illustrated. DOCTOR FORESTER. By Mrs. Walton. With Four Illustrations by Ernest Prater. SCENES IN THE LIFE OF AN OLD ARM-CHAIR. By Mrs. Walton. Illustrated. OLIVE'S STORY; or, Life at Ravenscliffe. By Mrs. Walton. Illustrated....
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POPULAR STORIES BY AMY LE FEUVRE.
POPULAR STORIES BY AMY LE FEUVRE.
THE MENDER; A Story of Modern Domestic Life. By Amy Le Feuvre. Illustrated. ODD MADE EVEN. By Amy Le Feuvre. Seven Illustrations by Harold Copping. HEATHER'S MISTRESS. By Amy Le Feuvre. With Fifteen Illustrations by J. S. Crompton. ON THE EDGE OF THE MOOR. By Amy Le Feuvre. THE CARVED CUPBOARD. By Amy Le Feuvre. DWELL DEEP; or Hilda Thorn's Life Story. By Amy Le Feuvre. ODD. By Amy Le Feuvre. Illustrated. A LITTLE MAID. By Amy Le Feuvre. A PUZZLING PAIR. By Amy Le Feuvre. With Illustrations by E
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The Bouverie Florin Library.
The Bouverie Florin Library.
A New Series of Interesting Stories. Each with Title-page and Illustrations in Colour. Attractively bound. Large crown 8vo, Cloth Gilt, 2s. each. THE AWAKENING OF ANTHONY WEIR. By SILAS K. HOCKING. With coloured and other illustrations. IN THE DAYS OF THE GIRONDE. A Story for Girls. By THEKLA. With coloured illustrations by W. E. WIGFULL. MONEY AND THE MAN. By H. M. WARD. With coloured illustrations by A. TWIDLE. THE CHARIOTS OF THE LORD: A Romance of the Time of James II. and the coming of Will
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The 'Queen' Library.
The 'Queen' Library.
A New Series of Delightful Stories for younger Girls, Each with three Coloured Illustrations: Large crown 8vo. Attractively bound in Cloth Gilt, 2s. 6d. MARGARET, or, The Hidden Treasure. By N.F.P.K. With three coloured illustrations by VICTOR PROUT. AGAINST THE WORLD. By EVELYN R. GARRATT, Author of 'Free to Serve.' With three coloured illustrations by J. A. SYMINGTON. LITTLE MISS. By M. B. MANWELL, Author of 'The Captain's Bunk,' 'Daisy's Knight,' etc. With three coloured illustrations by F. E
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'BRAVE DEEDS' SERIES.
'BRAVE DEEDS' SERIES.
BRAVE DEEDS OF YOUTHFUL HEROES. STRANGE TALES OF PERIL AND ADVENTURE. ADVENTURES ASHORE AND AFLOAT. THE ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE. True Incidents in the Lives of the Great and Good. WIND AND WAVE. A Tale of the Siege of Leyden. THE CRUISE OF THE 'MARY ROSE.' CEDAR CREEK; Or, from Shanty to Settlement. A BOOK OF HEROES; Or, Great Victories in the Fight for Freedom. ONCE UPON A TIME; Or, The Boy's Book of Adventures. THE BLACK TROOPERS. And Other Stories. A RACE FOR LIFE. And Other Tales. NOBLE DEEDS O
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