Introduction

“A Little Maid of Old Maine” is a true story of the brave effort of two girls to bring help to a little settlement on the Maine coast at the time of the War of the Revolution. Parson Lyon, the father of Melvina, was a friend and correspondent of Washington, and the capture of the English gunboat by the Machias men is often referred to in history as “The Lexington of the Seas,” being the first naval battle after the Lexington encounter.

The story is based on facts, and its readers cannot fail to be interested and touched by the courage and patriotism of Rebecca and Anna Weston as they journeyed through the forest after the powder that was to make possible the conquest of America’s foe.


Contents

IA LIBERTY POLE[9]
IIREBECCA’S SECRET[19]
IIIMELVINA MAKES DISCOVERIES[33]
IVAT MR. LYON’S[45]
VA BIRTHDAY[57]
VILUCIA HAS A PLAN[68]
VII“A TRAITOR’S DEED”[79]
VIII“WHITE WITCHES”[90]
IXREBECCA’S VISIT[102]
XAN AFTERNOON WALK[112]
XIAN EXCHANGE OF VISITS[121]
XIIWILD HONEY[133]
XIIIDOWN THE RIVER[143]
XIVAN UNINVITED GUEST[152]
XVREBBY AND LUCIA[165]
XVIREBBY DECIDES[178]
XVIIA PERILOUS JOURNEY[189]
XVIIITRIUMPH[205]

Illustrations

SHE ADDED WOOD TO THE FIRE[Frontispiece]
“WE’LL WADE OUT TO FLAT ROCK”[34]
“BUT WHICH ONE IS TO BE MINE?”77
HOW LONG THE AFTERNOON SEEMED![126]
A MAN CAME AROUND THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE175