Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-04

to that shaft, it entered between the joints OF
his armor, and the proud monarch sunk dead in
his chariot. The same unerring eye directed
the flight Of this dog TO the spot, where, after
an absence Of nearly seven years, he was the
means Of saving the life of BIS master, as you
will sec in the sequel.
II came to pass when nearly seven years had
expired since the fright and fight of Hero, (no
doubt the poor dog was scared enough when he
heard the order for immediate execution) that
his late master was sojourning on the borders
of Scotland and England; it was winter, and
dark in that climate at p. NJ. He put up at
a tavern by the wayside. As soon as he dis
mounted and went into the stable to see that his
horse was cared for, he was followed by a large
mastiff dog, who by every means that dog
could invent, endeavored to draw his attention.
The gentleman sat down in the hall, the dog by
his side, when he began TO think there was
something strange in the dogs attentions and
manner. He put his hand on the head of the
dog and spoke kindly; the dog encouraged him,
and laid his paw on his masters knee, and look
sd earnestly in his face; reeollections arose in
the memory of the master, and he exclaimed in
surprise, 'Why Hero, are you here?" Hero
was so pleased at the recognition, that he al
most leaped upon his masters back. Whether
the landlord was informed of the merits Of the
case, or not, 10Y Informant did aos say, al any
rate, Hero and his master were never separate
from that hour. Hero followed his master in
the bedroom, when seeing him about TO I'M
dress, he seized the skirt Of his coat with his
teeth: and drew mis- msster'toward closet; on
opening the door, he discovered the corpse of a
man suspended against the wall. He saw his
danger and made preparations accordingly.-
This matter occurred shortly after the return of
the army from America, after the war of indie
pendence. Many of the disbanded soldiers took
to robbing on the highways, and gentlemen al
ways travelled well armed. He saw that his
four pistols were in aight trim, piled everything
movable in the room against the door, and sat
down TO wait the result. At midnight there
was knock at the door, vial of medicine
which was standing on the mantepiece was
wanted for one of the the family who was taken
suddenly i'll, &c. Mr.. Morton (which was the
gentleman's name, informed the assa;lani he
was prepared with 6 e. ord ,..-..,,
the hrst man ~ -. entered. Presently, he distin
! guished the voices of three men, when after
some further parley an axe was sent for to breal
/ in the door. At this critical moment the sounC
of carriage wheels was heard from afar; the rob
/ bers paused, Mr.. NJ. thrust his head out Of tn,
window, and as the carriage approached halloeC
at the top Of his voice. They heard his erie,
and stopped, when the robbers fled by the bacl
door. There were four men in the carriage
they secured three women whom they found il
the house, and lodged them in Jail. BY thei
information, the men were caught soon after
tried and hung; the women were banished f
Botany Bay for life.
On searching the house, several corpses wer,
found buried in the cellar; and in the rooms
many articles identified that belonged to perscn,
who had disappeared, and were never heard O.
till this occurrence.
Hero went home with his master, and was I
happy dog for many years thereafter, when h,
died, and was buried. A stone recording tn,
Providential deliverance, was set up over hi
bones, and his portrait was hung in the hall
with the family escutcheons.
The story was published in the newspaper
and periodicals of that day, all over Britain, a
a fact beyond controversy.
! GRANT THoRBURS.
! October, 1851.