Chapter I: 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.

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CONTENTS

I. A LIBERTY POLE 9
II. REBECCA'S SECRET 19
III. MELVINA MAKES DISCOVERIES 33
IV. AT MR. LYON'S 45
V. A BIRTHDAY 57
VI. LUCIA HAS A PLAN 68
VII. "A TRAITOR'S DEED" 79
VIII. "WHITE WITCHES" 90
IX. REBECCA'S VISIT 102
X. AN AFTERNOON WALK 112
XI. AN EXCHANGE OF VISITS 121
XII. WILD HONEY 133
XIII. DOWN THE RIVER 143
XIV. AN UNINVITED GUEST 152
XV. REBBY AND LUCIA 165
XVI. REBBY DECIDES 178
XVII. A PERILOUS JOURNEY 189
XVIII. TRIUMPH 205

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ILLUSTRATIONS

SHE ADDED WOOD TO THE FIRE Frontispiece
PAGE
"WE'LL WADE OUT TO FLAT ROCK" 34
"BUT WHICH ONE IS TO BE MINE?" 77
HOW LONG THE AFTERNOON SEEMED! 127
A MAN CAME AROUND THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE 175

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A LITTLE MAID OF OLD MAINE