The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-05-28

CioSS-i llC -llot ~ HuCH OH account OF
his years, as from the circumstance of his
firing his rifle from his left shoulder.
This chicltain had, at the head of his
party, committed numerous depredations
upon the settlements, but always succeed
ed in escaping unharmed E; despite the
many cxertions made by the hunters TO
arrest his iniuriate career. Old Cross
Fire was an expert woodsman; and ma
my borderer was willing TO bear testi-
mony to his surprising skill as a marks
h1nn. He had frequently come in COLI
son with Maj. McCulloch, Lewis Wctz-
cl, and other famous Indian hunters !;
ht. all their stratagem and prowess was
vanly cxcrtcd the Mingo invariably
cahc of unscalhcd, and was embroidered
to hilicl his acts of wanton cruelty with
lncrascd tcmerity. His person was
familiar to most OF the settlers. lie was
OF heculcan fabric, his height being sew
eral hchcs ovu six feet: and every part
of his vast frame was built in admirable
proportion, If W. except his arms, which,
like these of kb Roy McGrcgor, were
SO long that
'rhc chief coul, stand in upn yht mien,
AID fairly grip is knees"
lie carried a rifle of more than ordinary
weigh, which he croSS-Ercd from his
left shoulder, and, hough contrary TO the
common rule, with amost unyarymg ac-
curacy and effect.
At the time of the Incident ahe,A to be
related, the Indians lad, in great nca-
sure, ceased their hostile incursions hto
Western Virginia. Most of them hat
retired farther West, 10 operate against
the settlements on the lower section OF
the Ohio. Even Old Cpss-Firc himself,
who fingered about Wheeling long after
his tawny comrades had changed their
seat Of war, was now seldom spoken o.
by the settlers. The prevailing idea was
that he had iorsakcn his old theatre o
operations for another that promised ;
better remuneration for his tolls. The
only individual who dissentcd from thi;
opinion was Lewis Wctzcl, one OF the
most successful Indian scouts ever known
Wctzcl, was, perhaps, possessed OF
more thorough knowledge of the charac
ter and habits of the Mmgo chief than an,
white man on border, for he had Otter
been an eyewitness of his crafty move
ments when bcsct by his enemies. Th'
chief had long been the especial object o
Wctzcl's hatred and though he had OF
ten laid deep plans to cnsnare him, tn
willy savage always found means to frus
trate them. In the course of his recon
rambles through the country, Wetzel fire
quently discovered some peculiar mark o
sign which confirmed him in his convlc
ton that the Indian had not left the neigh
borhood. His friends cndeavored to pei
suade him that he was mistaken, but h
rcsolutely adhered to his opinion, an
declared that he would yet "be the deaf
of the cursed old red dog" -.
| hS hClLti COuIIi llOi CuHNluCC tilC 80
tiers that Old Cross-Firc was yet lurkin
about the ncighborhood, he ceased t
mention his name but never allowed
week to clapsc without taking scol
through the country in the hope Of con
ing IN contact with him. The settler
however, lulled themselves into security
and apprchcnsivc of no impending dal
ger, engaged in agricultural pursuits
They cleared the rich bottom-lands, buj
substantial fences, planted their corn al
potatoes, and soon gave an air of comfoi
and promise of plenty, to their inla
settlement. Their implements of w
were thrown aside us articles no long
useful. A man, ii is true, was occasio
) ally seen with rifle upon his shoulder
; but no other purpose was had in vie
than to shoot deer or a wild turkey.
, About this time young man from Il
cast of the Alleghanics arrived at 4
Wheeling settlements. He had pertorl
: cd the entire journey across the mou
: tains on horseback, at all inclcmcnt Sc
/, son of the year, and was nearly cxhau
+ ed with fatigue and exposure TO the c
= ments. lie was destined to kcntucl,
C but gladly accepted an invitation TO pa
: few days with Col. Ianc, one of the e
o lest settlers at Wheeling, TO whom
bore a letter of introduction.
9 Elliott Frazier had scarcely passed a d
:, in the hospitablc dwelling of Col. IaI
c before he was seized with disease, the
e lccts of his recent exposure, which conl
Y ed him to his bed. His malady assun
i a serious character, depriving him at TN
IS of his reason. He laid for many days
$, conscious of his condition, and insensi
lie to what was passing around him. WI
IS at length his disease took favorable III
9 and his mind regained its suspended pc
L. crs, he discovered that beautiful be
Ig was lowering over his couch--tendc
" administering to his wants, and manii
f. ing, by the sweet smile that played u
her coun,cnancc, a pleasurable feeling
d. witnessing the Improvement ot his cOl