The mountain Democrat., 1865-08-26
Rsssusd BY . Dog.

Ter, about sixty miles west by north OF
the German town Of New Elm. The
family consisted Of Mr.. and Mrs EOIon,
a son, John, about II years old, and Susan
and Mary, two daughters of the respective
ages Of 8 and s years.
HoltOD had pre.empted or squatted on
farm something like year before the out.
break, and bad got pretty we'll under way,
having q snug log house, with fair out.
buildings, and about forty acres fenced
and under cultivation.
The principal features of the establish.
msnt, however, we're the boy John and
his dog BOase, . cross of the mastif and
grey hound, fleet Of foot, powerful Of mus.
Gle, aud possessing unusual intelligence.
John was lad Of precociOus develop
ment Of mind and body, and might have
passed for boy OF IA lie and Boase
were inseparable companions, and the
boy taught the dog about all he knew
himself, excepting only, as he was wont
TO say, such things a. required speech
We are thus particular in our mention Of
these things, because this story hinges
on the courage and sagacity of John and
the fidelity and intelligence Of Boase.
The first knowledge which the Holtons
obtained Of the Indian outbreak was com
municdtrd by q band of about twenty
Sioux, who came upon theirdwe ellinR just
after daylight one morning, killed and
scaplsd Holton before the eyes Of his hor.
rified family, shot the cattle, burned the
house and barn. and carried of captive
Mrs. Holton, John. Mary and Susan.
Whikh.. NhaO
captives knew not. Mrs. H0lton and the
two little girls we're so overcome with
fright and horror that they seemed bereft
Of reason but John, though at first stun
ned by the terrible scenes Of which be
had been . witness. soon recovered bis
self. possession, and vita characteristic
courage began to cast about in his mind
for some means Of escape and revenge.
IF Boase only knew where was," he
thought, "he would come and help the
get away"
The squad Of savages having the cap.
tives in charge, dWindled down to only
two in the course Of the day; parties VI
from three to six having successfully left,
as they came within striking distance ol
opportunities for massacre ana rapine.
About dusk they entered an oak open
ing, which gradually changed to dense.
brushy thickct, wherein the savages al
last came to a halt for the night They
made no fire; and after partsking Of q
frugal meal Of parched corn and dried
meat, they prepared to pass the night by
binding the csptives' hands and feet, and
laying them close together, and then
stretching themselves on each side Of
them. r--
John was lying next to the savage on
one side, his thoughts busy with planning
some mode Of escape. He had noticed
that each Indian had laid his gun by bis
side, and had q tomahawk and knife in
his belt, and mere boy tho be vas, he
felt that if be could only get possession
Of their weapons as they slept, he would
be able to free himself and his mother and
sisters from their deteSted mastprship.
Bat how to do this, he could not imagine.
unless boaSe should come to his aid, as
his hands and feet were securely tied.
Alter remaining perfectly quiet for
hour after hour, until not only his mother
and sisters slept, in spite of their fears,
but also the watchfuneSs Of the savages
was qurnched in Slumher, as he supposed,
John ventured to raise himself to sitting
posture and peep about him. He FIRST
satisfied himself that the savages actually
slept, and then he worked his arms and
legs to overcome the pain and paralysis
which had been occasioned by their re
malning so long bound and~in one posi-
tinn; all the time keeping as sharp look
ont in every direction as the prevailing
obscurity would permit.
AS he thus sat peering into the brush
he at last saw some Object slowly moving
towards him. Nearer and nearer it came
but with perfect stiffness and occasional
" stopped as il to listen. When il had
got within short distance Of him, Il stop.
ped and gave low plAinnve whinc.--
JOHNS heart almost bounded into his
month. for in that whine he recognized
the tones Of his faithful Boase, and in the
exuberance of joy he called the dog by
name and held up his hands towards him.
Boase immediately crept forward, but
John becoming alarmed at his own rash
ness, lay down again beside the savage.
lest the latter should awake and detect
the presence Of the dog.
But the Indian slept on. and after
short time he again cautiously raised him
self to sitting posture, and to his great
satisfaction he found BoaSe crouching 1t
his feet He caresSed the brave fellow
with his bound hands and then holding
them up SO Bnase could see the lrathern
thong with which they were tied. told
him to gnaw it into. Boase seemed to
comprehend the case at once, for he in
Stantly set 10 work AMI soon set his
Young masters hands at liberty.
What to do next? was now the qmes
ton. John was so overcome for time
at the terrible task before him that he
forgot that his feet were still bound until
he attempted to rise. Then he was re-
minded Of the fact Should he let Bnasr
gnaw them loose, or should he Withdraw
the Indians knife from his belt and cut
the thongS Deciding upon the latter
course. he gently possessed himself Of the
knit, cut the thong, and the cautiously
drawing the tomahawk from the savage's
belt, he rose to his feet. He had decided
upon his course.
Pointing to the sleeping savage, he pat
ted BOaSe on the head and whispered him
TO seize the Indian the moment he stirred;
then taking the Indians gyn.he cautious
ly cooked it, placed the muzzle to the
heart Of the other savage, and fred kill
ing him instantly.
As the surviving savage, aroused bv
the report Of the gun. attempted to spring
to his feet. Boase. with howl Of ven
eeance, dashed at his throat, and with =
few terrible tearings and crushing killed
the bleody wretch outright. g.
Mrs Holton, Susan and Mary. awaken.
ed by the noise Of the gun and hearing
the brief but terrible struggle between