Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-04-05

to the settlement on Dunkard's Creek,
that he might exhibit his talents TO his
own family, and to the hardy backwoods-
men, his neighbors.
Nothing 10th TO such an exhibition,
and pleased with the energy oil his new
acquaintance, Wetzel consented to ac-
company him; shortening the way with
their mutual tales Of hunting excursions,
and hazardous contests with the CON-
mon enemies of their country. Amongst
other things Wetzel stated his manner
of distinguishing the footsteps of a white
man from those of am Indian, although
covered with moccasins, and intermixed
with the tracks Of savages. He had
acquired this tact from closely examin-
ing the manner of placing the feet; the
Indian stepping with his feet in parallel
lines, and first bringing the toe to the
ground; while the white man almost in
variably places his feet at an angle of
=
the line OF march. An opportunity they
little expected, soon gave room to put his
skill 10 the trial. On reaching the young
mans home, which they did the same
day. they found the dwelling a smoking
ruin and all the family lying murdered
and scalped, excep, young woman who
had been brought up in the family, and
TO whom the young man was ardently
attached. She had been taken away
alive, as was asceriained by examining
the trail Of the savages. Weizel soon
discovered that the party consisted of
three Indians and renegade white man,
fact not uncommon in those early days.
when for crime, or the love of revenge.
the white outlaw fled 10 the savages, and
was adopted on trial, into their tribe.
As il was past the middle of the day,
and the nearest assistance at some con-
siderable distance, and as there were only
four to contend with, they decided on
instant pursuit. As the deed had very
recently been done, they hoped to over
take them in their camp that night, and
perhaps before they could cross the Ohio
river, to which the Indians always re-
treated after successful incursion; con-
tha.ceoI,n, e
when they had crossed to its right bank,
at that time occupied wholly by the In
dian tribes.
Ardent and unwearied was the the pur-
suit by the youthful huntsmen; the one
excited 10 recover his lost mistress, the
other to assist his new friend and to take
revenge for the slaughter of his country
men-slaughter and revenge being the
daily business of the borderer at This po-
tentious periods Wetze! followed the
train with the unefring sagacily of the
bloodhound; and just at dusk traced the
fugitises to noted war path, nearly op-
posite the mouth of Captina Greek, emp
tying into the Ohio, which, much to their
disappointment, they found the Indians
had crossed, by forming raft Of logs
and brush their usual manner when at "a
distance from their villages. By exam
ming carefully the appearance of the OPP
poslte shore, they soon discovered the
fire of an Indian camp in hollow way
few rods from the river. Lest the noise
of constructing raft should alarm the
Indians, and give notice of the pursuit,
;he two hardy adveniurers determined to
swim the stream few rods below; this
they easily accomplished, being both of
them excellent swimmers; fastening their
clothes and ammunition i'm bundle on
the tops of their heads, with their rifles
resting on their left hip, they reached
the opposite shore in safety. After care
fully examining their arms and putting
every article of attack or defence in its
proper place, they crawled very cautious
ly TO position which gave them fair
view of their enemies, who thinking
themselves safe from pursuit, were care
lessly reposing around the fire. though,-
Tess of the fate that awaited them. They
Instantly discovered the young woman,
apparently unhurt but making much
moaning and lamentation, while the white
man was trying to pacify and console her
with the promise of kind usage, and an
adoption into the tribe. The young man,
hardly able to restrain his rage, was for
firing and rushing Instantly upon them.
Wetzel more cautions, told him TO wait
Till daylight. when they could make the
attack with better chance Of success.
and Of also killing the whole party, but
if they attacked in the dark, part would
certainly escape.