93

INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.

CHAPTER IX.

INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.—Continued.

On Stony Creek, five or six miles S. W. of Woodstock, there was a Fort called Wolfe's Fort, where the people took shelter from the Indians for several years. Mr. Wolfe would venture out sometimes for the purpose of killing game, and was always accompanied by a favorite dog. On one particular occasion, this faithful animal saved his master's life. Mr. Wolfe walked out with his gun and dog, but had not proceeded far before the latter namifested 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 master's breast, and strive to push him back; would run a few steps toward the fort, and then return whining. From the extraordinary manifestations 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 distance behind a tree, watching and waiting until he should come near enough to be a sure mark. Mr. Wolfe made a safe retreat into the Fort, and ever after felt the highest gratitude to his honest and faithful dog. The dog lived to be twenty-one years of age, and probably more.* Ulysses's dog Argus is much celebrated in history; but it is very questionable whether Argus ever rendered more important service 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, {comma added} from his home. The story of his dog is related by Homer to the following beautiful poetical effusions:†

Thus near the gates conferring as they drew,
Argus, the dog, his ancient master knew;
He, not unconscious of the voice and tread,
Lifts to the sound his ear, and rears his head;