WOMAN'S HEROISM.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 2, Issue 30, 14 February 1850, Page 3

WOMAN'S HEROISM.

The cool collectedness often exhibited by women, in positions of imminent trial and danger, are truly surprising. Meissner relates an instance, the truth of which he solemnly vouches for : An old liaron bcintj absent from his castle, the servants were attacked one night by a band of robbers. The Baroness a young and very beautiful woman—hearing the terrible uproar, called for her serving woman, but received no answer. Unable to endure the suspense any longer, she went to the apartment from which the noises were heard to issue. Any woman, says Meissner, less capable of commanding herself, would have fainted at the appalling sight which met her at the door-way. Two of her men servants lay on tlic floor in tho agonies of death. The room was filled with wretches who wore rather the appearance of demons than human beings. The attiring-woman of the Baroness, who knelt before one of the robbers in tho act of supplication, fell bathed in blood before her eyes —yet, as if such scenes wore familiar and pleasing, the undaunted lady strode boldly on, passing across the bodies of her slaughtered domestics, and dabbling her very garments with tho gore of her faithful handmaid. The robbers paused in momentary astonishment, on beholding the beautiful young creature* who had so fearlessly thrown herself amidst them. ProQlting by their indecision she addressed tliera instantly, in a tone of great and joyful exultation. " And have you come at last ? Oh, happiness 1 This is the moment for which my heart lins long and nrdently panted. It is from men of courage only, like yourselves, that I could hope deliverance from the misery that surrounds me. You look upon me with surprise, if not suspicion ? Wonder not at the delight I experience in beholding you here, for, know that I have long been tho victim of a jealous tyrant who keeps mo prisoner within theso detested walls, from which theso instruments of his will, from whom you have so bravely rescued me, prevented the possibility of escape." Exerting a strong command over her feelings, the Baroness spumed with her foot the body of one of her late attendants, and, advancing with n smiling countenance, tendered her hand to him that appeared to be the chief. The ruffian gazed upon her, as if irresolute in what manner to proceed. Two of the band, in the meanwhile, had pounced upon her, their poinards ready to obey the directions of their leader. " Thou art a fool, fair lady," lie said, "to anticipate the doom which thou mayest so clearly read in that of thy obsequious followers. Think not thou canst entrap us with thy honied accents. We are not to be gulled by thy pretended regards." " You may easily prove my sincerity," replied tho lady, with a smile ; " my hand is at. the disposal of the brave man willing to accept it; my death would little profit you, for without my instructions you could never discover the vast but concealed treasures of my tyrant's castle. Say, must I become your victim or your friend ?" Tho gang appeared to be greatly disconcerted. Ilowcvcr, after a brief pause, their captain thus addressed her. "It is true, lady, that thou mayest be able to disclose treasures difficult for us to delect; therefore, dangerous as it may be to trust n woman of your rank, we will give you a trial—but remember, that death U certain if you mako tho least nttempt to escape or to impose on us." " My life, then, is perfectly safe," exclaimed the Baroness with a smile. She then snatched up a candle, conducted the band to every apartment, opened every door, closet, and cliest, unasked ; diverted the robbers with jests ; leaped carelessly over the dead bodies of her servants; and indeed she seemed to be the leader of the gang herself. Tlio treasure having been collocted, the captain ordered his comradci to prepare immediately for leaving the castle—when the Baroness, laying her hand upon his arm, said "Did I not tell you'that you would not repent of having saved my life, and that I should prove myself your real friend ? You are dexterous enough in emptying chests you find open, but your lynx eyc9 would never discover tho most secret treasures of tho castle." " Ha I lead us to them," was tli? reply.

" Do vou imagine," rejoined the Baroness, " that drawer*, which are full of the most valuable articles, contain no secret recesses ? Look here, and you will see how blind you were." She pointed to the spring in the Baron's writing-desk. The robber 3 opened it, and shouted with joy and astonishment on discovering a large quantity of gold. " 1 see, indeed, that thou art nu excellent woman ; thou shalt lead the lire of a duchess," exclaimed the captain. The Baroness smiling, answered "You will be still better pleased with me when I shew you the last but principal hoard of my tyrant. Follow me ; we lmve made clear work above ground ; let us see w hat we may do underground—come, let us to the cellar." They obeyed her command, but posted a sentinel at the door of the vault (which was secured by a strong iron trap door), as a precaution against a surprise. The Baroness, pretending not to observe this, led the band into one of the most remote recesses, where a large iron chest was discovered in a corner. " Here," said she to the captain, " take this hunch of keys and endeavour to open this The robber tried one key after another, hut his attempts were unsuccessful. He became impatient, and the Barouesi afTected to be still more so. " I.et me try," said she, " I may be more successful." She examined the : keys "Ah, I see why we cannot open the chest—pardon my mistake ; so overjoyed was I at your arrival, that I took the wrong bunch wa it but for a moment." She flew through the passage, up the stairs, and passed the sen- ; tinel ; returning in a minute afterwards, she cried to him at the entrance " I have found it," and then hounded so suddenly against him that he was precipitated headlong into the cellar. It was but the work of a second to throw down and bolt the trap door—the ] robbers were in a prison ! The Baroness then flew over the court-yard, , and set fire to an outhouse, filled with combustible matter, the flames alarmed the inhabitants of the village, who hurried to the castle. Arms were distributed among them— , the trap-door was lifted—as the ruffians leaped , out they were slain ; and, of the whole band, j not one saw that evening's sun. i

A Blind Hero. John of Bohemia was present in person at the battle of Cressy, as an ally of the French King. His stale of blindness was then complete; but, at his desire, the reins of his horse were fastened to the head-stalls of two of his bravest knights. When the enemy came close to him, his knights directed him where to cut and thrust, and he is eaid to have wounded more than one antagonist whom he could not see. Next day he was found dead upon the field, with all his millitary attendants slain around him.—Campbell's Life of Pelrurch.