Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-11-19
A BOY HERO.
SSeseeeee@eeeseeses<esee&
hrTELL us a story, grandpa-a story,


the request, as She climbed up 10 her
seat of honor on the old mans knee.
All the children, with eager faces,
crowded round his chair, for they knew
that grandpa would refuse his little
favorite nothing.
What kind of a story, my PETE" he
said, gently stroking her golden curls.
"A dost story"
"SomethinS 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 well, il shall be about Indians"
grandpa answered.; and my hero is
only nine years old-about your age,
George"
Asthe children drew their chairs near
ct to listen, they made a very pretty
picture in that coy, firelit room.
MANY years ago grandpa began,
there lived a family Of English emf
grants on tire western frontier. Their
home was not as comfortable as this,
for the house was simply a log cabin,
without curtains or carpets, and with
loopholes instead of windows. Yet Mr..
Martin and his wife We're very happy,
as long a.S they We're untouched by In
dams, who We're 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 a party
Of Sioux Indians, on the warpath. sur
rounded tine cabin, and woke the in
mates with fearful var-whoop.
"AIr. Martin, springiug 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
Joy the Indians passed through the
loophole, killing instantly the courage
Gus Mrs. Martin"
-Grandpa, you are crying!" Sadie liz
terrupted, looking up into the old mans
face.
flush. darling!" he answered, brush
ing something like moisture from his
eyes. Let me tell YOU all the rest.
"T'hen Mr.. Martin lost all hope; but,
for the sake Of his child. he made gal
liant struggle. The Indians, after six
of their number had beem slain, burst
into the cabin, aud one Of the fore
most. with single blow of his toma-
hawk. Killed the heroic Errlishman."
And what about Dorgie >" Sadie asks
with breathless interest.
The child fired the last loaded pistol
at the savage who had murdered his
father. The charge took efTect-the
Indian was dangerously wounded; but
dozen weapons were Immediately lev
eled al the boys head. BY the inter.
ference of the chief, George was saved
from death, and carried away as a cap
tive.
The Indians had two other prisoners
besides him-men whom they intended
TO torture on reaching home.
after two weary days of iourneying
over the prairies, the party at length ar
rived al Sioux village.
Crowds of old women and children
accompanied by barking ours, came
forth TO meet them, and especially &c
jeer the helpless captives.
THE next day, amidst great reioic
ings, the latter were put TO death at the
understanding to the invarable Gus
tom of the savages.
"Georgie was turned over by the ole
warriors TO be tortured by the Indian
children.
"Imitating their elders, these little
wretches tied the white child with
leathern thongs to a stake driven firm
ly into the ground.
Before piling the brushwood round
him. the Indian children, with mucl
yelling and confusion, retired 20 the
distance of about 20 PAGES, arming them
selves meanwhile with light toma
/ hawks and with bows and arrows.
"They first drew a line which il wa,
4 forbidden TO pass. Then each one II
turn stepped 10 the front and shot ar
arrow, trying how close be could com,
to the boy without hitting him.
George felt the arrows whiz past hi:
head. He was too much interested. or
1 should say, surprised by the terrible
ordeal through which he was passier
20 feel afraid. But he grew very angry
when one of the missiles, better aimee
than the others, carried away a lock o.
his golden hair.
"The young Indians yelled their up
plause at IS fine shot, and som,
squaws stand ~ near by seemed to en-
Joy the sport sely, for they en-
couraged the TO continue.