Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-10-29
A BOY HERO.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeees
"rTELL us story, grandpa-a story

'ELL us story, grandpa story,
/ pleased"
ltwas little blue-eyed Sadie who made
the request, as she climbed up to her
seat of honor on the old mans knee.
AL the children, with eager faces,
crowded round his chair, for they knew
that grandpa would refuse his little
favorite nothing.
What kind Of story, my pet?" he
said, gently stroking her golden curls.
"a dost story"
Something about pirates!" cried
Ralph, the eldest, who did not believe
in fairies or ghosts.
"Or Indians! Oh, do tell us true,
story about Indians, grandpa!" en-
claimed George. mamma said that
you could tell us something wonderful
that happened once, if you wished to-
something real true"
very we'll, it shall be about Indians"
grandpa answered; "and my hero is
only nine years old-about your age,
Georgia"
stheChildrendrew their chairs near
CT 10 listen, they made a very pretty
picture in that cozy, firelit room.
MANY years ago." grandpa began,
"there lived family of English emf
grants on the western frontier. Their
home was not as comfortable as this,
for the house was simply log cabin,
without curtains or carpets and with
loopholes instead of windows. Yet Mr..
Martin and his wife were very happy,
as long as they were untouched by In
dams, who were very fierce and pow
erful at the time / speak of.
"The husband worked all day, cut
ting down trees in the neighborhood.
Sometimes he took with him his little
son, named Georgie--who looked very
much like the Georgia who is listening
to me now. The boy had large blue eyes
and long yellow curls-just like yours,
my child.
$50 they all lived happily in this
strange, lonely home for about a year
until one dark, moonless night party
of Sioux Indians, on the warpath, sur
rounded the cabin, and woke the, in
mates with a fearful war-whoop.
"Mr. Martin, springing out Of bed,
seized his carbines and two trusty
pistols, and prepared to defend the wife
and child whom he loved SO well.
George held the weapons in readi-
ness for his father, while the, mother
loaded them. Soon, alas, bullet fired
by the Indians passed through the
loophole, killing instantly the courage
GUS Mrs. Martin"
Grandpa, you are cIying!" Sadie in
terrupted, looking up into the old mans
face.
Flush, darling!" he answered, brush
ing something like moisture from his
eyes. "Let Ire tell you all the rest.
"Then Mr.. Martin lost all hope; but
for the sake OF his child, he made q gal
iant struggle. The Indians, after 81,
Of their number had BEEN slain, burst
into the cabin, and one OF the fore
most, with single blow Of his toma
hawk, killed the heroic Englishman."
"And what about Dorgie?" Sadie asks
with breathless interest.
"The child fired the last loaded pisto
at the savage who had murdered hi
father. The charge took effect-th'
Indian was dangerously wounded; bu
dozen weapons were Immediately lev
eled at the boys head. BY the inter
ference of the chief, George was save'
from death, and carried away as cap
tive.
"The Indians had two other prisoner
besides him-men whom they intende,
to torture on reaching home.
"After two weary days Of journeyinl
over the prairies, the party atlength ar
rived at Sioux village.
"Crowds of old women and children
accompanied by barking ours, cam
forth to meet them, and especially t
jeer the helpless captives.
THE next day, amidst great rejoic
ings. the latter were put to death at tn
understanding to the invariable Gus
tom of the savages.
"Georgie was turned over by the oil
warriors to be tortured by the India
children.
"Imitating their elders, these littl
wretches tied the white child wit
leathern thongs to stake driven firm
!, " into the ground.
"Before piling the brushwood roun
him. the Indian children, with muc
yelling and confusion, retired to tn
distance of about 20 PAGES, arming then
selves meanwhile with light tomf
hawks and with bows and arrows
"They first drew line which it wa
forbidden to pass. Then each one !
turn stepped to the front and shot a
arrow, trying how close he could com
IN the boy without hitting him.
"George felt the arrows whiz past hi
Nod He was too much interested. o
should Jay, surprised by the terribl
ordeal through which he was passn
"a feel afraid. But he grew very nngr
when one of the missiles, better Anne
than the others, carried away lock
his golden hair.
"The young Indians yelled their al
nIause az this fine shot, and SON
scuaws standing near by seemed to el
;ov the sport intensely, for they e
ssourased the children 70 continue