Last of the Great Scouts | Page 6

took aim with
steady hand, and brought down his first deer.
On the following Sabbath we were encamped by another deep,
swift-running stream. After being wearied and overheated by a rabbit
chase, Turk attempted to swim across this little river, but was chilled,
and would have perished had not Will rushed to the rescue. The
ferryman saw the boy struggling with the dog in the water, and started
after him with his boat. But Will reached the bank without assistance.
"I've hearn of dogs saving children, but this is the first time I ever hearn
of a child saving a dog from drowning," ejaculated the ferryman. "How
old be you?"
"Eight, going on nine," answered Will.
"You're a big boy for your age," said the man. "But it's a wonder you
didn't sink with that load; he's a big old fellow," referring to Turk, who,
standing on three feet, was vigorously shaking the water from his coat.
Will at once knelt down beside him, and taking the uplifted foot in his
hands, remarked: "He must have sprained one of his legs when he fell
over that log; he doesn't whine like your common curs when they get

hurt."
"He's blooded stock, then," said the man. "What kind of dog do you call
him?"
"He's an Ulm dog," said Will.
"I never heard tell of that kind of dog before."
"Did you ever hear of a tiger-mastiff, German mastiff, boar-hound,
great Dane? Turk's all of them together."
"Well," said the ferryman, "you're a pretty smart little fellow, and got
lots of grit. You ought to make your mark in the world. But right now
you had better get into some dry clothes." And on the invitation of the
ferryman, Will and the limping dog got into the boat, and were taken
back to camp.
Turk played so conspicuous and important a part in our early lives that
he deserves a brief description. He was a large and powerful animal of
the breed of dogs anciently used in Germany in hunting the wild boars.
Later the dogs were imported into England, where they were
particularly valued by people desiring a strong, brave watch-dog. When
specially trained, they are more fierce and active than the English
mastiff. Naturally they are not as fond of the water as the spaniel, the
stag-hound, or the Newfoundland, though they are the king of dogs on
land. Not alone Will, but the rest of the family, regarded Turk as the
best of his kind, and he well deserved the veneration he inspired. His
fidelity and almost human intelligence were time and again the means
of saving life and property; ever faithful, loyal, and ready to lay down
his life, if need be, in our service.
Outlaws and desperadoes were always to be met with on Western trails
in those rugged days, and more than once Turk's constant vigilance
warned father in time to prevent attacks from suspicious night prowlers.
The attachment which had grown up between Turk and his young
master was but the natural love of boys for their dogs intensified. Will
at that time estimated dogs as in later years he did men, the qualities
which he found to admire in Turk being vigilance, strength, courage,
and constancy. With men, as with dogs, he is not lavishly
demonstrative; rarely pats them on the back. But deeds of merit do not
escape his notice or want his appreciation. The patience, unselfishness,
and true nobility observed in this faithful canine friend of his boyhood
days have many times proved to be lacking in creatures endowed with a

soul; yet he has never lost faith in mankind, or in the ultimate destiny
of his race. This I conceive to be a characteristic of all great men.
This trip was memorable for all of us, perhaps especially so for brother
Will, for it comprehended not only his first deer, but his first negro.
As we drew near the Missouri line we came upon a comfortable
farm-house, at which father made inquiry concerning a lodging for the
night. A widow lived there, and the information that father was brother
to Elijah Cody, of Platte County, Missouri, won us a cordial welcome
and the hospitality of her home.
We were yet in the road, waiting father's report, when our startled
vision and childish imagination took in a seeming apparition, which
glided from the bushes by the wayside.
It proved a full-blooded African, with thick lips, woolly hair, enormous
feet, and scant attire. To all except mother this was a new revelation of
humanity, and we stared in wild-eyed wonder; even Turk was surprised
into silence. At this point father rejoined us, to share in mother's
amusement, and to break the spell for us by pleasantly addressing the
negro, who returned a respectful answer,