Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-09-21

ter successful incurson, considering them
selves in 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 slauoh OF
his countrymen-slaughte and revenge being
the daily business of the borderer at This por.
tentous period. Wetzel followed the trail
with the unerring sagacity of the bloodhound
and just at dusk traced the fugitive to noted
war path, nearly opposite the mouth of the
Captina creek, emptying into the Ohio, which.
much to their isappointment, they found the
Indians had crossed by forming raft of logs
and brush their usual manner when at dis
tance from their villages.
By examining carefully the appearance of the
opposite shore, they soon discovered the fire
of an Indian camp in hollow way, few rods
from the river. Lest the noise of constructing
a raft should alarm the Indians and give no.
tice of the pursuit, the two hardy Adventures
determined to swim the stream a few rods be-
low. This they easily accomplished, being
both Of them excellent swimmers: fastening
their clothes and ammunition in bundle on
the top of their heads, with their rifles resting
on their left hip, they reahced the opposite
shore in safety After carefully examining
ther.arms and putting every article of attack
or defence in its proper place, they crawled to a
position which gave them fair view of their
enemies, who thinking themselves safe from
pursuit, were carelessy reposing around the
fire, thoughtless 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 trv-
ing 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 inst antlv upon them
Wetzel, more cautious, told him to wait till
daylight, when they could make the attack with
better chance of success, and also of killing
the whole party; but if they attacked in The
dark a part would certainly escape.
AS soon as daylight dawned the Indians arose
and prepared to depart. The young man Sc
lecting the white renegade and Wetzel the IN
dian, they both fred at the same time, each Kill
ling his man. The young man rushing for
ward, knife in hand to relieve the young wo-
man, while Wetzel reloaded his gun and push
ed in pursuit Of the two surviving Indians, who
had taken to the wood, until they could ascer-
tain the number Of their enemies Wetzel, as
soon as he saw that he was discovered, dis
charged his rifle at random in 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 70 his heels,
Wetzel loaded as he run, and suddenly wheel
ing about, discharged his rife through the body
Of his nearest, but unsuspectiug enemy.
The remaining Indian, seeing the fate of his
companion, and that his enemy s rife was un-
loaded, rushed forward with all his energy, the
prospect Of prompt revenge being fairly before
him. Wetzel led him on, dodging from tree TO
tree, until his rifle was again ready. when sud-
denly turning, he shot his remaining enemy
who fell dead at his feet. After taking. their
scalps, Wetzel and his friend, with their rescu-
ed captive, returned in safety to the set,le-
ment.
Like honest Joshua Fleeheart, after the
peace Of 1895, Wetzel pushed for The frontiers
OF the Mississippi where he could trap the
beaver. hunt the buffalo and The deer, and oc-
casionally shoot an Indian, the object of bis
mortal hatred. He finally died, as he had lived,
a free man Of the forest.