Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-10-31

days, when for crime or the love OF revenge, the
white outlaw fled to the savages, and was adopt
ed on trial, into their tribe
As it was past the middle of the day, the near
est assistance still at some considerable 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 overtake them
in their camp that night and perhaps before they
could cross the Ohio river, to which the Indians
always retreated after successful ncursion, con-
sidering themselves in a manner safe when they
had crossed to its right bank, at that time occupied
wholly by the Indian tribes.
Ardent and unwearied was the pursuit by the
youthful huntsmen the one excited to recover his
lost mistress the other to assist his new friend
and to take revenge for the slaughter of his
trymen-slaughter and revenge being the daily
business Of the borderer at this portentous peri
cd. Wetzel followed the trial with the unerring
sagaci,y Of the bloodhound and just at dusk ira
ced the fugitive to noted war path, nearly oppo-
site the mouth of the Captina creek, emptying in
to the Ohio, which much to their disappointment,
they found the Indians had crossed by forming a
raft Of logs and brush, their usual manner when at
a distance from their villages.
BY examining carefully the appearance of the
opposite shore, they soon discovered the fire Of an
Indian camp in a hollow way, few rods from the
river. Lest the noise Demonstrating raft should
the two hardy adventurers determined to swim the
stream few rods below. This they easily ac-
complished, being both of them excellent swim
mers; fastening their clothes and ammunition in a
bundle the top Of their heads, with their rifles
resting their left hip, they reached the opposite
shore in safety. After carefully examining their
arms, and putting every article of attack or de-
fence in its proper place, they crawled to posi-
ton which gave them fair view of their enemies,
who thinking themselves safe from pursuit, were
careessly roposng around the fire, thoughtles Of
the fate that awaited them. They instantly dis
covered the young woman, apparently unhurt, but
making much moaning and lamentaton, while the
white man was trying to pacify and console her
with the promise of kind usage, and an adoption
with the tribe. The young man, hardly able to
restrain his rage, was for firing and rushing in
stantly upon them. Wetzel, more cautious, told
HIN 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.
AS soon as daylight ddwned, the Indians arose
and prepared to depart. The young man select
ing the white renegade, and We,zel the Indian,
they both fired at the same time, each killing his
man. The young man rushing forward knife in
hand, to relieve the young woman. While Wet
eel reloaded his gun and pushed forward in pur-
suit of the two surviving Indians, who had taken
to the wood, until they could ascertain the number
Of their enemies. Wetzel, as soon as lie saw that
he was discovered, discharged his rifle at random
in order to draw them from their covert Hearing
the report, and finding themselves unhur, the In.
dians rushed upon him before he could again re-
load. This was as he wished. Taking to hi:
heels Wetzel loaded as he ran, and suddenly
wheeling about discharged his rifle through the
body of his nearest, but unsuspecting enemy.
The remaining Indian, seeing the fate Of his
companion, and that his enemy's rifle was unload
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, un
til his rifle was again ready when suddenly turn
ing he shot his remaining enemy who fell dead a
his feet. After taking their scalps, Wetzel and hi
friend, with theirrescued captive, returned in safe
ty to the settlement.
Like honest Joshua Fleeheart after the peace
of 1895, Wetzel pushed for the frontiers of tn.
Mississippi, where he could trap the beaver, anc
hunt the buffalo and the deer, and OCCASIONAL,
shoot an Indian, the object of his mortal hatred.
He finally died, as he had lived, free man of tht
! forest