Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-10-07

Ardent and unweared was the pursuit bv the
youthful huntsmen-one excited to recover his
lost mistress, the other to assist his new friend
and to take revenge for the slaughter of his coun
trymen-slaughter and revenge being the daly
business OF that portentons period. Wezel fol-
lowed the trail with the unerrng sagaci!y of the
bloodhound, and just at dusk traced the fucitves
70 noted war path, nearly opposite the mouth of
'ne oaP'ina creek, .emptyng into the Ohio,
""efe .liucI 10 thelf disappointment, they found
the Indians had crossed by forming raft Of brush
and logs. their usual manner when a. distance
from this village
by examining carefully the appearance Of the
opposite shore, they soon discovered the Ere of an
Indian camp In hollow way a few rods from the
river Lest the noise OF constructing raft should
alarm the Indians, and give notice of the pursuit.
the TWO hardy adventures determined to swim
the stream few rods below. This they easily
accomplished, being both Of them excellent swim
mere; fastening their clothes and ammunition in q
bcmdle ca the top of their heads, with their rifles
resting cn their lett hips, they reached the oppo-
site shore in safety. After carefully examining
their armG, and putting every article of defence IN
its proper place, they crawled to position which
gave them fair view of their enemies who think
ing themselves safe from pursuit, were carelessy
reposing around the fire, th9ughtless Of the fate
that awaited them. They Instantly discovered
the young woman, apparently unhurt, but MAKING
mitch moaning and lamertation. while the white
man was trying to console and paclfy her with the
premise of kind usage and an adoption with the
tribe. The young man, hardly able to restrain his
rage, was for firing and rushing instantly upon
then. w etze, more cautious, 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
par: would certainly escape.
AS soon as daylight dawned, the Indians arose
and prepared to depart The young man select.
ing the white renegade and Wetzel the Indian,
they both fired at the same time, each killing his
man. The young man rushed forward, knife in
hand, to relieve the young woman, while Wetzel
reloaded his gun and pushed in pursuit of the two
surviving Indians. who had taken to the wood
until they could ascertain the number of their enc
mics. Wetxel, as soon as he saw that he
was discovered, discharged his rife at ran
dom n order to draw them from their covert
Hearing the report, and finding themselves unhurt
the Indians rushed upon him before he could again
reload. This was as he wished, Taking to his
heels Wezel loaded as he ran, and suddenly
wheeling about, discharged his rifle through the
body OF his nearest, but unsuspecting enemy.
lhe remaining Indian, seeing the fate of his
companion, and that his enemies gun was uaload-
ed, rushed forward with all his energy, the pros
pect of prompt revenge being fairly before him
Wetzel led him on, lodging from tree to tree,
until his rifle was again ready, when suddenly
turning he shot his remaining enemy who fell
dead at his feet. After taking their scaps, Wetsel
and his friend, with their rescued captive, return
ed in safety to the settlement.
Like honest Joshua Freehart, after the peace
of 1895, WetzeI pushed for the frontiers Of the
Mississippi, where he could trap the beaver, hunt
the buffalo and the deer, and occasionally shoot an
iiidian, The object of his mortal hatred He finally
died as he had lived, free man Of The forest