The Quiver 1/1900
Our Roll of Heroic Deeds
The above illustration depicts a notable deed of heroism performed by the daughter of a Sheffield collier when only seventeenyears of age. It happened that early one morning, when the father and mother were absent, Charlotte Morewoodawoke to find the house in flames. Escape downstairs was impossible, but, with admirable presence of mind, she awakenedthe four younger children, and dropped them one by one out of a bedroom window into the arms of neighbours below.Next, by a great effort, she lifted her eldest sister, who had fainted with the shock, and saved her in the same manner.She then endeavoured to rescue some of the furniture and clothes in the attic, but the fire had meanwhile spread so rapidlythat she only saved herself by a hurried jump. By the pluck and coolness of this brave, devoted girl, the lives of the sixinmates of the burning house were thus saved.
FACING DEATH FOR CHRIST.
BASED ON AN INTERVIEW WITH THE REV. C. H. GOODMAN.
By Our Special Commissioner.
MR. GOODMAN WITH TEACHERS AND CHILDREN OF DAY SCHOOL, TIKONKO.
(Photo: The Rev. W. Vivian, F.R.G.S.)
A terribleadventurebefell theRev. C. H. Goodman,missionaryin the Mendicountry, WestAfrica, in thesummer of 1898.It is really surprisingthat heis alive to tellthe tale, and, indeed,the marksof great sufferingwere stillvisible on hisface when, a few months afterwards, hekindly told me the story.
THE REV. C. H. GOODMAN.
(Photo: Mr. Stephens, Harrogate.)
The peril came on him with startlingsuddenness. No bolt from the bluecould dash from the heavens more unexpectedly.He was stationed at Tikonko,about two hundred miles inland fromFreetown, Sierra Leone, and had beenin charge of the United Methodist FreeChurch Mission there for about sixyears. Suddenly, one morning, he heardby chance that his life and the lives ofhis Mission-workers had been demandedby a neighbouring tribe.
"Is it really true," he asked his friends,the Tikonko Mendis, "that the Bompehpeople wish me to be killed?"
"Yes, it is true."
"And you can give me no protection?"
"We fear not any."
"Then I must go back to the coast—tothe English?"
"Yes."
"Can you give me carriers to accompanyme and my helpers, and to takefood for the journey?"
"Yes, we promise that."
But Mr. Goodman could not get thepromise fulfilled—whether from insincerity[292]or inability on the part of the Mendisto keep it he could not discover.
What was to be done? He was theonly white man there: some colouredpeople, chiefly from Free Town, andassociated with the Mission, were with