Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-07-17

INV tuur DFOtncFs were NIL OF the
same gigantic mould, and two Of them
were employed a. rangers by the Ohio
company during the Indian war. III,
two sisters were also about six feet in
height. When the colonists from New
England took possession Of the country
about Marietta, Fleethart resided with
his wife and famil y Of young children
on an island on the Ohio river, near
Belpre-since become classic ground
as the scene Of Aaron Burr's conspiracy
and the abode of Blcnnerhassett. AZ.
ter the wsr broke out in 1871, he re.
moved them into Farmers Castle" a
strong siockaded garrison opposite to
the island, aud resided there himself;
but in the most dangerous times ne
would hunt. fcarlesly aud alone. in the
adjoining forests; aud whenever there
was an alarm given by the rangers.
who constantly secured the woods. and
the other tenants Of the castle were
seen h1rrying from their cornfelds to
within its protecting walls. FIeetheart
would almost invariably shoulder his
rifle and take TO the adjoining woods.
giving as a reason that he could do
more service there in case Of an actual
attack, and also feeling himself more
free and courageous when behind
tree lighting in the Indian manner.
and depending on his own personal ac-
tivity. than when cooped up in \ garri-
son. During the Indian war in 1894.
being tired Of confinement, he deter.
mined to have hunt by himself, and
again breathe freely in the forest
Knowing. from experience, that the In.
dams almost invariably confue them
selves TO the vicinity Of their towns
during the winter months, he pushed
Immediately for their best hunting
grounds. Taking his canoe, rifle traps,
&c.. he, late in November. assembled
the Sciota river. TO near the spot where
Chillicothe now stands--5eing ten or
fifteen miles from the then Indian
Chillicothe. Here he built himself
bark hut, and spent the winter with all
that peculiar enjoyment which Is
known only to the backwoods hunter.
He had been very successful in the
chase, and had loaded his canoe with
the hams Of the bear, the elk. and the
deer; TO which he had added numerous
packages Of their skins and Of these Of
the more valued beaver. With all the
precaution Of an experienced warrior
in an enemy's country, he had securely
fastened his we'll loaded canoe several
miles below, behind the wiluws which
then bordered the shores Of the Sciota.
The melting Of the snow, the swelling
buds Of the sugar tree. asd. above all.
the flight Of the wild geese on their al.
nuai northern tour, reminded him that
ii was time to depart. lie had cooked
his last meal in his solitary hot, and
was sitting on n fallen tree in front of
IL. examining the printing and lock
OF his rifle: the sun had just risen.
when looking up, he saw an Indian ex.
aiming with minute attention the
tracks Of his moccasins, made as he re.
turned to his camp. While hunting
in the direction of the Indian towns.
the day before, his acute and practiced
ear had distinguished the report Of an
Indian rifle at distance. Fieelhart
Immediately stepped behind a tree.
and waited until the Indian had ap.
preached within the sure range Of his
shot lie then fired. and the Indian.
with u yell and q bound. fell to the
earth. The sealping knife had com
menced its operation; but as the Ia.
dian was not quite dead, he dcsisted.
aud fell to cutting loose some Of the
silver bands, with which his arms were
profusely ornamented.' and tucked
them under the folds Of his hunting
shirt.
While thus busily occupied. he looked
up and saw four or FIVE Indians close
upon him. This being too numerous a
party for him to encounter alone, he
seized his rife and took TO his heels.
They fired upon him, but without ef
feet; he soon left them all but two far
behind. who being more swift Of foot
than their companions. continued the
chase four or five miles. without his be.
ing able to leave lhem--he often stop.
ped and freed. hoping TO get shot and
disable one Of them. and then Mil the
other az his leisure; as soon as no took
q tree. the indians did the same, and
by Ranking TO right and left. soon
forced him TO uncover or stand the
chance OF a shot In this dilemms he
concluded 10 try the hills. and leave
the level ground on which they had 90
long been struggling. Ills vast museu.
lar power here gave him the advantage.
as he could ascend the steep side Of the
hi'l more rapidly than HE lighter bot
less muscular foes Perceiying him 10
be leaving them. the Indians stopped
and fred; one ball passed 50 near that
Il cot away the handle Of bis hunting
knife. as Il hang At his side. jerking the
blade 80 violently sgainst IL as 10 make
him think for q moment that he was
sounded. lie Immediately returned
a. cycsvsiing tlic Ohio e sas uof fsr FIRM fi,e
scenr a. IIeeihsr's adventure. ihc "A ristou of 81
lnfan vas found sith several lfoai silver bsf..ls
o. tlte bows q hit arms--as firttitsft sfr,pprd