The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-21

knowledge they had of mountain cats, an ami
NAL so rapacious, that the inhabitants cannot
always defend themselves against their at
tacks. They then painted to their magma
ton the horrid idea Of wolf, or some other
dreadful animal, devouring their darling child
Derrick, my poor little Derrick! where art
thoui" frequently exclaimed the mother in
the most poignant language-but all was of no
avail.
As soon as daylight appeared, they renew
ed heir search, but as unsuccessfully as the
preceding day. Fortunately an Indian laden
with furs, coming from an adjacent village,
called at the house of lie Fever, intending to
rep@e himself there as he usually did on his
travelling through that part of the country.
He was much surprised to find no one at
home but an old negress, kept there by her
inirmities. "Where is my brother I" said the
Indian. "Alas " replied the negro woman she
lost his little Derrick, and all the neighbor-
hood are employed in looking after him in the
woods" Ii was then three o'clock in the af-
ternoon. Sound the horn" said the Indian,
TRY and call your master home--l will find
his child" The horn was sounded and as
soon as the father returned, the Indian asked
him for the shoes and stockings that Derrick
had worn last. He then ordered his dog,
which he brought with him to smell Of them
and then taking the house for his centre, he
described circle Of a~quarter Of mile,
semi-diameter; ordering the dog to smell the
earth wherever he led him. The circle was not
completed when the sagacious animal began
to bark. This sound brought some feeble
ray Of hope to the disconsolate parents. The
dog followed the scent, and barked again, the
party pursued him with all their speed, but
soon lost sight of Linn in the woods. Half an
hour afterwards they heard him again, and
saw him return. The countenance of the
poor dog was visibly altered; an air Of joy
seemed to animate him, and his gestures
seemed to indicate that his search had not
been in vain.
Il am sure he has found the child" ex-
claimed the Indian. But whether dead or
alive, was at present the cruel suspense
The Indian then followed him 10 the foot of
a large tree where lay the child in an en-
iecbled state. nearly approaching death.
He took it tenderly in his arms, and hastily
carried it to the dfsconsolate parents. Hap
PLY, they were both in some measure pre-
pared to receive the child Their joy was so
S'edt that u was Wole tndh quarter VI al
hour before they could express'their gratitude
to the kind restorer of their child. Words
cannot express the affecting scene. After
they had bathed the face of the child with
tears, they threw themselves on the neck Of
the Indian, whose heart in unsion melted
with tears. Their gratitude was then extend
ed to the good dog-,hey caressed him with
inexpressible delight as the animal who by
means Of his sagacity had found their off
spring: and conceived that, like the rest of
the group, he must now stand in need Of re-
freshments, a plentiful repast was prepared
for him, after which he and his master pur-
sued their journey, and the company mutually
pleased with the happy event, returned to
their respective habitations, highly delighted
with the kind Indian and his wonderful dog.