Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-07-22
A BOY HERO.
Observation-Disclosures


the request, as sine climbed up to her
seat OF honor ON the old mans knee.
All the children, with eager faces.
crowded round his chair. Tor they knew
that grandpa would refuse his little
favoTite nothing.
What kind of a story, my pet?' he
said, gently stroking her golden curls.
"a dost story"
"Somethiu. about pirates" cries
Ralph, the eldest, who did not believe
ia fairies or ghosts.
"Or Indians Oh. do tell us Il 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, it shall be about Indians"
grandpa answered.; and my hero j.
only nine years old-about your age,
ieorgie."
AstheChildren drew their chairs near
er to listen, they made a very pretty
picture in that coy. frelit room.
MANY years ago" grandpa began,
there lived 4 family of English emf
grants Oh the 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 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 George, who is listening
TO me now. The boy had large blue eyes
and long yellow curls--just like yours.
my child.
so they all lived happily in this
strange, lonely home for about 4 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-w hoop.
MIR. 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, a bullet fired
1y the Indians passed through the
loopbole, killing Instantly tive courage
Gus Mrs. Martin"
''Grandpa, you are CRYING" SAGE I'M
terrupted. looking up into thee z%n's
ACE.
Hush. darling!" he answered, brush
Ing something like moisture from he's
eyes. Let me tell YOU all the rest.
Then Mr.. Martin lost all hope; but,
for the sake. of his child, lie made a gal
liant struggle The Indians. after six
OF their number had been slain, burst
into the cabin. audi one Of the fore
most, with single blow Of his toma-
iaws, killed the heroic EpPlishman."
Ard what about Dorgie ?" Sadie asks,
with GREATNESS interest.
The child fired the last loaded pisto.
at the savage who had murdered his
father. The charge took etTect-tne
INDIAN was dangerously wounded; but
"A dozen weapons were Immediately lev
eled at the boys head. BY the inter
ference of the chief George was saved
from death, and carried away as cap
tive.
"The Indians had two other prisoners
besides him-men whom they intended
TO torture ON reaching home.
"After two weary days of ioL-1eyinc
over the prairies. the party at length ar
rived at a Sioux village.
Crowds of old women and children.
accompanied by barking ours, came
forth TO meet them, and especially TO
jeer the helpless captives.
THE next day, amidst great reioic-
ings, the latter were put TO death at the
stalle-according TO the invariable Gus
tom of the savages.
George was turned over by the old
warriors 10 be tortured by the Indian
children.
"Imtating their elders, these little
wretches tied the white child with
leathern thongs to a stake driven firm
~ into the ground.
Before piling the brushwood round
him, the Indian children, with much
yelling and confusion, retired TO the
distance Of about 20 PAGES, arming them
1elyes meanwhile with light toma-
hawks and with bows and arrows
"They first drew line which il was
forbidden to pass. Then each one in
turn stepped to the front and shot an
arrow. trying how close he could come
20 the boy without hitting him.
George felt the arrows whiz past his
head. lie was too much interested, or,
1 should say, surprised by the terrible
ordeal through which he was passieg
to feel afraid. But he grew very angry
when one of the missiles, better aimed
than the others. carried away lock OF
his golden hair.
"The young Indians yelled their ap'
plause at this fine shot. and some
Squaws standing near by seemed 10 en-
Joy the sport intensely, for they en-
eouraged the children TO continue.