The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-05-10
Rescued by a Dog.

break and massacre in Minnesota, IaHlly
named Hol.on was living on the frontier,
about sixty miles west by north OF the Ger
man town of New Elm. The family coE-
sisted OF MIR. and Mrs Holton, son. John,
about eleven years old, and Susan and Ma
ry, twodaughters, of The respective ages Of
eight aud FIVE years. HolIon had Pre-emPt
ed or squatled on a farm something like
year before the outbreak, and had got pref
iy well under way, having snug log house,
with fair out buildings, and about iorly
] acres fenced and under cultivation.
! The principal features of the establish
/ menl, however, were the boy John, aud bis
! dog Bosse, cross OF the mastif and grey
/ hound, feet OF foot ard pow erfUi OF muscle,
and possessing uncsUal intelligence. John
was lad of precocious development both
OF mind and body, aud might have passed
! for boy of fourteen. He and Bosse were
inseparable companions; and the boy had
taught the dog about all hat he knew him.
/ self, exec pting only, as he was wont to say,
such things as required speech. We are
thus particular in our mention of these
things, because this story hinges on the
courage and sagacily OF John and the fidell-
I iy and intelligence OF Boase.
( The first knowledge which The Holtons
obtained Of The Indian outbreak was com
muncaled by band of about twenty Sioux,
who came upon their dwelling just about
daylight one morning, and killed and scalp
ed Holion before the eyes OF his horrIfied
family, shot the cattle, burned the house
and barn, and carried of captive Mrs. Hol-
ton, John, Susan and Mary.
Whilher they uere being taken, the cap
tiyes knew not Mrs. Holion and the two
little girls were go overcome with irighien-
ed horror that they seemed berefl of their
senses bal John, though al first stunned
by-ths terrible scenes OF which be had been
a witness, soon recovered his self possess
ion, and with characteristic courage began
TO cast about in his mind for some means
of escape and revenge. If Boase only
knew where was" be thought, she would
come and help me 10 get away"
The squad of savages having the capiives
in charge, dwindled down 10 only TWO in
the course OF the day; parties OF from three
10 six having successively leh, as they came
within striking distance of opportunities for
massacre and rspine. About dusk they en-
tered an oak opening, which gradually
changed TO dense, brus hy thicket where
in the savsges al last came 10 hal; for the
night They made no fire: and alter par
taking of frugal meal OF PsTched corn aud
dried meat, they prepared TO pass the night
! by binding the captives hands and feet,
and laying them close together, and thea
stretching themselves on each side OF them
John was lying next 10 the savage on one
side, bis thoughts busy with planning some
mode Of escape. He had noticed that each
Indian had laid his gun by his side, and
had a tomahawk and kBile in his belt; and
mere boy though he was, he felt that il be
could onIy-gei possession Of their weapons
as they slept, he would be able 10 free him
self and his mother and sisters from their
de,esed mastership. But how to do this,
he could not imagine, unless Boase shonld
come to his aid, as his hands and feet were
sec curely tied.
After remaining perfectly quiet for hour
after hour until not only his mother and
sisters slept in spite OF their fears, but also
/ until the watchfulness OF the saVages was
: quenched in slumber, "a he supposed, John
! ventured 10 raise himself 10 a sitting pos
/ ture aud peep about him. He first satisfied
himself that the savages actually slept, and
then he worked his arms and legs TO over
come the pain and almost paralysis which
had been occasioned by their remaining so
long bound and in one position all the
time keeping as sharp lookout in every
direction as the prevailing obscuriy would
permit.
! As he thus sat peering into the brush, he
+ al last saw some object slowly moving TO-
wards him. Nearer and aearer it came,
but with perfect Stiffness, and occasionally
stopped as if 10 listen. When il had got
within a short distance OF him, it stopped
and gave a low, plaiIlve whine. Johns
heart al mos; bounded into his mouth, for in
that whine he recognized the tones of his
/ faithful Boase and in the exuberance of
his Joy be called The dog by name and held
up his hands towards him. Boase imme-
distely crep: forward, but John, becoming
alarmed at his own rashness, lay down
again by the side of the savage, lest the lat
ter should awake and detect the presence of
the dog.
But The Indian slept On, and afier short
time John again cautiously raised himself
| to a sitting posture and to his great sails
| faction he found Bonse croucbing at hls
! feet. He caressed the brave fellow with
( his bound hands, and then holding them
up so Boase could see the leaIhern thong
with which they were tied, he told him 10
! onaw il in two Boase seemed 20 compre.