The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-26

the hands of the Indians, and no power
under the sun shall prevent me from aid
ing in her rescue.'
..Don't talk so FAST" observed the imper-
turable scout; Jest let me fix the thing.
Enit." U
"Wetzel," said McColloch, $500 much
may be risked by sending out an in efficient
force. Here comes the Colonel; we will
hear what he has TO say about it," e
The Colonel, who now appeared TO an
nounce that the horses were forthcoming,
heard Wetzel's objection to the original
plan and his desire to take the matter in
his own hands. fully explained to him.
"What can you do by yourself!" asked
the Colonel OF Wetzel.
"Why, Colonel, I'll do all that can.
III get the poor child out of their red paws
if have to follow the skulking dogs all the
way to the Sandusky towns" .e.a 81
"But you shall have help" remarked
the Colonel.
"Colonel, you aint Citing jubious OF
me, hope; at this late day? Did you
ever know Lewis Wetzel to act the fool
when red skins were about! Now, if we
want to fetch back Rose, we must go about
the business like true Indian hunters; not
like fox-hunters." a2Us
'Do you think you can bring back the
child in safety, Lewis?' seriously asked
Colonel Zane. ......., ........
81 can't promise sartingly, Colonel; but
know full we'll that can do more to-
wards it by myself, than can with pack
of noisy fellows about me-" a,s3
Wetzel is right" said the Colonel,
after he had revolved the question in his
mind. "In an affair Of this kind never
found him wrong. Maj. McColloch, we
will commit the business to him alone."5a
81 am glad TO hear you say so, Colonel!''
exclaimed Wetzel, whose eyes now sud-
denly frightened with hope and JOY; an
give good account of myself"
81 shall 90 with you. Lewis!" said Ell.
liot impatienily; 81 will go with you at the
risk Of my liie!'
$50 you may" replied the hunter; "you
will do no harm-you won't be head
strong, because you're green hand, and
will have TO do just what tell you. Be-
sides. you ought TO help Rose out Of the
bad box your foolery got her into"
Where do you propose going. Lewis!"
asked the Colonel.
"Siraight to the mouth of Short Creek;
that's the pint Old Cross.Fire always
crosses at. 1t is getting fur into the after
noon, so we'll have:o be brisk. Ellit, is
your rifle and your fxins in good order?"
GAN right" responded the yodfh 79
"Then come, let's be off" Esu.ef
"Fhe two adventurcrs shouldered their
fire re-locks, and as they passed through the
gate of the forlifcation, many brief pray.
er for their success was uttered by the in
mates Of the fort; all of whom had been
interested auditors of the conversation.
They pursued well-beaten path four or
five miles up the bank OF the river, until
they reached the mouth Of run, which
empties itself into the Ohio. Immediately
opposite a small island in the latter stream.
Here nature appeared in her widest as.
pect.
'This is suspicious-looking place."
observed Elliot
"Not a Bit said Wetzel 'There
hant been an Indian here Tor long time.
A good while back it was a famous place
for them to cross over in their canoes; and
many's the time I've laid for days and
nights at stretch, on the pint Of that lit.
tie island yander, watching the movements
of the redskins, to get chance to riddle
their hides with my old woman here,' and
the hunter pa,ted the breach of his gun
with manifest affection. 'Old Cross Fire.
he continued, "used to paddle over herea.
bouts; but me and him have had so many
cracks at each other, along yander, that
he's got afeared TO venture his old red hide
in this quarter any more. He's got his
erry at Short Creek now; and there's
where we'll have to nail him. ~ aa
DO you think the old fellow himself
carried off Rose!' interrogated Elliott.
'Jist as sartan he did as my name is
Lewis Wetzel'
Then Lewis, am resolved that my
'ifle shall kill the Internal scoundrel!'
Tut, tut. Ellit! Do Jest as tell you;
lidn't fetch you along to talk in that way.
Boy, there's nary man in this part of the
Universe that Id trust with Old Cross-Fire.''
But if fair chance should offer. Lewis,
vhv may not as well pull at him!' b
because it would be of no use at all,
or it runs strong in my head that powder
md lead can't kill him. My old woman
lere, has tried so often to hush his Jaw
Without doing it, tina, I've made up my
mind to try him some other way. He's
,ot charmed life; that's clear easel
'Fulge, Lewis! Do you believe in such
I'D woman's stories?'
'Well, Idon't know as do, as gener.
Il thing: but | must sav that I've satisfied
nyseIfih that Old Cross Fire is proof against
iile balls, any how. Bot We must move
long quicker. Eilit. We're only half.
way 10 Short Creek, and we haven'ta min