Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-03-02

there's nary man in this part of the Univers
that I'd trust with Old Cross Fire.
"But if fair chance should offer, Lewis, wi
may not as well shoot at him.
"Because it would be of no use at all; for
runs strong in my head that powder and lead wor
kill him. My old woman here has tried SO ofte
to hush his jaw, without doing it, that I've mad
up my mind to try him some other way. He's g
charmed life-that's a clear case %
"Fudge, Lewis Do you believe in such ol
| women stories !''
swell, don't know that do, as genera
thing; but must say that I've satisfied mysel
that Old Cross-Fire is proof against rifle balls
anyhow. But think we must move along quick
er, Elliot. We are only half way to Shork Creek
and we haven't minutes time to spare"
"lt's high time to quit talking, now,'' said tn
old hunter. in softened tone, after they had lef
the run some distance in the rear. GA body ha
to be quiet when he gifts about the Indians or the,
will be mighty apt to be about him."
Elliot promised to keep silence. The two hun
tiers now quickened their pace, though care was
taken to bring their feet to the ground as light al
possible. Wetzel, who walked before his youth
full companion, continually glanced his well prac.
ticed eyes around him, penetrating the mazes o.
the forest on every side He moved with surpri.
sing Stiffness and never uttered syllable unless
it might have been to check his comrade for max.
ing unnecessary noise.
When the hunters reached the mouth of Short
Creek, the sun was nearly ready to disappear
behind the bold heights on the opposite shore of
ence with the river were abrupt, though not high,
and covered to their extreme borders with luxu-
RANT growth of pawpaws. The outer edge of the
beach of either stream was dry and sandy; but a
wide strip of wet and unctious earth next to the
waters edge had been exposed to view by the re-
cent substance of freshet.
ssThis is the end of our tramp" whispered Wet
eel to his companion. They were then standing
at the lower angle of the junction of the streams
screened, however, from observation by the paw
paw grove which extended to the verge of the
precipice.
"What is to be done now z" asked the youth
in low whisper.
"Ill see,'' said Wetzel. "You stay where you
are, and do not bulge peg, nor make a bit of
noise, while go and look around little.''
He cautiously drew the branches aside, and
glided through the bushes with quietness pecu-
liar to the skilful Indian hunter. After an ab-
sence of several minutes he returned, and made
signal to Elliot to follow him. The latter STEP
ped forward as cautiously as he could, and accom-.
panied Lewis few rods up the creek bank, when
he elder hunter called the attention of his COM
,anion to the stumps of the two bushes, on which
he recent marks of the hatchet were visible.
ssThis one,'' whispered Wetzel, STOPPING down
o the nearer stump, sthis was cut by Old Cross
Fire himself'
sHow do you know that 90 inquired Elliot.
"Can't you see that it was cut by left handed
nan The highest pint of stump is always
where the heel of the hatchet cuts it; and that
high pint Is next to us on the left side.''
81 understand you," said the youth. sYour
easoning is conclusive that the bush was cut by
left handed mar"
ssNoW, look at the other stump resumed Wet
rel, sand give me your idea about that.'
,entured his opinion promptly.
eThis one,'' said he, "was cut by right hand
ID man, because the highest point of the stump
s on the right side.'' ::
ssThat's right, Elliot. I've lart you that much
md it's worth minding, too.,'
"Why is this information valuable.''
s'It's valuable on this account Elliot; you see
shows that there have been at least two red skins
lere-one left handed, and one right handed one.
The left handed one is Old Cross-Fire, because
1e's the only left handed man know of ia these
parts; and the other, Judge, is one of his hang
srs on.''
s'But might there not have been more than two,
Lewis %
$50 there might, but we can't tell y said Wet
eel, as he moved near the bank, and cast his keen
eyes upon the bosom of the water. ssThere's an
other discovery have made. Do you see that
little green twig in the creek there -
Elliot glanced his eye in the direction denoted
by his comrades finger, and answered in the af-
frmative.
"Well, Elliot, that twig is fast to Old Cross
Fires canoe, which is there sunk in the water,
and reckon that these bushes were cut to make
forks to fasten it to the bottom:''
every Ikely,a said Elliot,
ssAnd now argue that there might be one or
more Indians taking care of the canoe, while
the old dog and his imp came ashore to cut the
forks
ssYou reason like philosopher, Lewis; will
soon become an experienced hunter under your
tutorage."
ssNow, Elliot" said the scout, 'syou 60 back to
your old place and keep quiet and have bright
lookout while slip around the pint of that hill
and see what's going on. Only be quiet, and
do as tell you. I'll be back before you get on
easy.'' 45E 4ss s'4