Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1883-02-14
VOL. III.

wanted to understand and could
not.
Oscar drew the little sock
along tie ground a few feet.
4owdy followed, smelling and
whining, aud when Oscar stop
ped he ran on little ways,
looking beck to see it Oscar APP
proved. Seeing doubt in their
faces he went back, repeating
the action three or four times,
until 1t seemed useless to try 70
make him comprehend what
was wanted, aud the poor moth
er was growing almost frantic.
Finally Oscar threw the little
sock far from him, ond the dog,
with a glad bount, rushed after
aud brought it proudly back,
with heal erect, as If he were
sure now he had done what they
wished. But at their looks of
disappointment he dropped his
tail, and slowly started to carry
the sock back to the place where
he had picked it up.
But as he dropped it from his
mouth he stopped, snuttcd the
ground, ran tins way and that a
moment. to catch warmer
scent, then ran along slowly,
with his nose on the ground, as
If deeply interested in some.
thing. They all followed,
trembling with expectation and
hope, which might yet be sadly
disappointed; for it might be only
game which Rowdy had scented.
But on he went, scenting every
tuft OF grass or cluster OF prairie
flowers, stopping an instant now
and then, aud snutiing with a
long, slow breath, as if to make
more sure that he was right,
while they eagerly followed him.
The mother was with them, In
her excitement aud anxiety con-
tinualiy asking:
"Will he flint mein IIanka?"
Suddenly the dog stopped and
held his nose high ia the air,
snufhng at tall weed. The
mother in an instant sprang for
ward with cry, aud caught a
small shred of calico from the
bush, shouting, alt lat Hanka's
dross! 1t ist mein Hanka's!
The dog started on. For two
long hours the company fol-
lowed him, eager, hopeful, ans
ious. Now the odor OF the trail
seemed strong, aud the dog
sure; now it was faint, and he
would rctrace his steps, aud
search hither aud thither for the
scent before he found it again.
At last, striking al oil butfalo
trail, they saw plainly in the dry
dust the track of a child's foot.
'Tis Hanka's sporr (traiD! tits
Hanka's sporr! Mein kint! mein
KNIT" screamed the mother.
Aud again ran, closely following
the noble, eager dog.
Scouting a trail over dry dust
was now difficult for the dog,
but he kept on bravely, seeming
almost as excited AS the mother
or Oscar, who was wild with de-
light at what his favorite was
accomplishing.
Down aud up the hillocks the
track led, until presently Rowiy
stopped. His whole manner
changed. The nose was on lon
ger placed on the ground. With
appraised head aud outs.retched
neck. he went straight on with
fixed, excited gaze.
Mr.. Clements aud Oscar knew
that he left the track because be
had scented the boy where he
lay, but they dared not tell the
mother, lest the child should be
dead.
In an instant longer the dog
rushed furiously forward and
they heard his joyous bark min
gled with the sound of a chid's
scream, for once a glad and wei
come sound, which the mother
echoed, shrieking wildly:
each! mein Gott! mein Gott.
mein Hanka! Mein Hanka ist
found! Mein kint, mein KNIT"
They were soon beside her in
her almost delirious joy, while
the dog seemed to share the
general exultation, running to
the boy as ne lay in his mothers
arms, licking his hands and face.
then rushing up to Oscar aud
seeming as proud as anybody at
his success.
T,ey carried the weary little
wanderer back to the rude cabin,
where the sick father aud Jack
Clement so anxiously waited
for them. While Mr.. Clement
remained in the neighborhood,
tue German family were hls
warmest friends. But words
could not express their admira-
tion of Rowdy, or their grateful
appreciation or the service he
had rendered them.