Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-01-15
HISTORY OF THE VALLEY.
CHAPTER TX.
INDIAN INCURsIONS AND MAssA-
CREs-CONTINUED.

niles NOuln-Mool vi " NVVuHVoNN,
there was a fort called "Wolfe's
fort where the people took shelter
from the Indians for several years.
Mr.. Wolf would sometimes ven
ture ont for the purpose of killing
game, and was always accompanied
by a favOrite dog. On one particular
occasion, this faithful animal saved
his masters life. Mr.. w. walked
out with his gun and dog, but had
not proceeded far before the latter
manifested great alarm, and used
all his ingenuity to induce his
master to return. He repeatedly
crossed his path, endeavoring to
obstruct his walk; would raise
himself up, and place his feet
against his masters breast, and
strive to push him back; would
run a few steps towards the fort,
and then return whining. From
the extraordinary manifestation OF
uneasiness on the part of the dog,
Mr.. Wolfe began to suspect there
was some lurking danger, of course
kept a sharp look out, and soon
discovered an Indian at some dis
tance behind a tree, watching and
waiting until he should come near
enough to be a sure mark. Mr..
w. made a safe retreat INTO the
fort, and after fel; the highest
gratitude to his honest and faith
full dog. The dog lived to be
twenty-one years of age, and
probably more. (a) Ulysses's dog
argus is much celebrated in his
tory; bat it is very questionable
whether Argus ever rendered more
important services to his lord and
master. Ulysses was one OF
the commanding generals of the
Greeks in the Trojan war, and was
absent twenty years, it is said,
from his home. The story of his
dog is related by Homer in the fol
lowing beautiful poetical efiu-
sion lbl
Thus near the gate conferlug as they
drew,
Argus, the dog, bis ancient master knew;
He.not unconscious of the voice and tread.
Lifts to the sound his ear, and rears bis
head;
Bred by Ulysses, nourish'd at his board,
But ali not fated long to please his lord J
To him, his swiftness and bis strength
we're vain;
The voice Of glory calrd him over the
main:
Til then in every sylvan chase renown'd,
With Argus, Argus, rung the woods
around
With him the youth pursu'd the goat or
fawn,
Or tracd the may leveret DER the lawn.
Vow left to mans ingrstitude he lay,
Unhous'd, neglected in the public way
And where on heaps the rich manure WAS
spread,
Obscene with reptiles, took his sorded bed.
Iie knew his lord he knew, and strove
20 meet;
In vain hcstrove TO crawl, and kiss bis feet,
Yet (all he could) his tail, bis ears, his
eyes,
Salute his master and confess his joys.
Soft pity touchd the mighty masters soul;
Adown his cheek tear unbidden stole,
stole unperceiy'd he turnd his head, and
dried
The drop humane; then thus impa'sion'd
cried:
"what noble beast in this abandond
state,
Lies here all helpless at Ulysses gate
His bulk and beanty speak no vulgar
praise;
IT, as he seems, he ,cds in better days,
Some care his age deserves or was he
priz'd
For worthless beauty, therefore now de-
spised
Such dogs, and men there are, mere
things Of state,
Aud always CHERISHED by their friends, the
great"
"Not Argus so, (EmmTus TINS rejon'd)
But serv'd a master Of a noblor kind,
Who never, never, shall behold him more!
Long. long since perish'd on distant
shore
O had you seen him, vigorous, bold and
young,
Swift as stag, and IS lion strong;
Him no fell savage on tLcplam wilhstood,
None .c4pd him, bo.om'd il the gloomy
wood:
His eye how piercing. and his scent how
true,
TO wind the vapor in the tainted dewi
such. when Ulysses left his natal coast,
Now years unnerve him, and his lord is
lost,
The women keep the generous creature
bare
A sloek and idle race is all their care:
The master gone, the servants what re
strainsi
Or dwclls humanity whore riot reigns
Jove fx'd It certain, that whatever day
Makes man a slave, takes half his worth
away"
This said, tho honest herdsman strOde
before:
The musing monarch pausos at the door.
The dog whom fate had granted to be-
hold
His lord when twenty tedious years had
rolpd,
Takes a last look, and having seen him,
dies;
So clo'd forever faithful Argus eyes
There was no poet at the time to
transmit the name and fame Of Mr..
(a) Moses Russell, Esq, Of the county
OF Frederick, gave the author detail Of
the particulars Of this extraordinary
story, aud stated, that when he was a
young man he once called at Mr..
Wolfes house aud saw the dog. He ap-
peared to be decrepted and suffering pain,
and be asked Mr. Wolfe if he had not bet.
ter kill the dog, and Pnt him out OF mis-