I believe you to be a brave girl." "If you really think so," rejoined Esther, "prove it by showing me how to load these." As she spoke she took from the mantel one of the pistols that were lying there, and turned it over to examine it.
"Oh! put that down, Esther, put that down immediately," almost screamed Mrs.Ellis; "what with your speeches and your guns you'll quite set me crazy; do take it from her, Walters; it will certainly go off." "There's not the least danger, Ellen," he replied; "there's nothing in it." "Well, I'm afraid of guns, loaded or unloaded; they are dangerous, all of them, whether they have anything in them or not.

Do you hear me, Esther; do put that down and come out of here." "Oh, no, mother," said she, "do let me remain; there, I'll lay the pistols down and won't touch them again whilst you are in the room." "You may safely leave her in my hands," interposed Mr.Walters.

"If she wants to learn, let her; it won't injure her in the least, I'll take care of that." This assurance somewhat quieted Mrs.Ellis, who left the room and took up her quarters in another apartment.
"Now, Mr.Walters," said Esther, taking off her bonnet, I'm quite in earnest about learning to load these pistols, and I wish you to instruct me.

You may be hard pressed tonight, and unable to load for yourselves, and in such an emergency I could perhaps be of great use to you." "But, my child," replied he, "to be of use in the manner you propose, you would be compelled to remain in quite an exposed situation." "I am aware of that," calmly rejoined Esther.

"And still you are not afraid ?" he asked, in surprise.
"Why should I be; I shall not be any more exposed than you or my father." "That's enough--I'll teach you.