The Samoan Mascot

In time of war it is the icpo's dutr to lead on to combat the warriors of her village, and she is often in the thick of the skirmishing; but shoulrt she be wounded or killed, it is a pure accident, as the Samoans have the greatest horror of hurting a woman in any way, and would not even injure their enemy's tapo. There is a story told of how, during the war whlch was carried on in Upol'j for a considerable time five or six years ago, two mies had met and were drawn up blazing into each other's Unes, when a native woman appeared with a cow she wished to place in safety. The entire flring was immediately suspended on )oth sides till she and her charge had crossed the lines and were completely out of harm's way. The women could rely so thoroughly on the gallantry of their countrymen that they had no fear during the fighting, and would take 'ood to their husbands and brothers at any time, and pass through the ranks of the warriors of the belligerent army with perfect impunity; as long as the daylight lasted, and they could be easilv seen, they were quite safe.- In Stevenson's