in the hand of these natives. In the wake of the flames came the African fever, but the pioneer Liberian women said that
"The bravest are the tenderest,
The loving are the daring."
And thus saying, they faced these, braved them undaunted, and continued to battle with and hold at bay the natives, rebuild their houses, and in June, 1822, with the assistance of their brothers and copartners in the struggle, laid the corner-stone of the Republic of Liberia, upon the site whereon to-day stands the beautiful capital city, Monrovia.
When, in these dark days, these trying ordeals through which Liberian womanhood passed, they were importuned to quit these anxious scenes of warfare and flee to British settlements or return to America, they replied, in the language of the brave, heroic leader, Elijah Johnson, and said, "No, sirs; we have been for years hunting and searching for a home, and we have found it and .shall stay here." They stayed, too, and labored faithfully until their change came—until they were invited to cease toiling and cross over the silent river of time and rest beneath the tall palms that dot the fair plains of eternity. But ere their departure they solemnly enjoined upon their daughters to prove themselves polished stones in the nation's temple, the foundations of which only the judgment day will reveal the hardships, the sorrows and anguish which their mothers experienced in assisting to lay—in short, to be nothingless than true, faithful women of purpose and determination.
