Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1859-05-07

win nasty Oaths he Tell upon the strange
hunter and hurled him to the ground. This
was no sooner done, than he found himself
turned, and under his strong and more pow.
erfu antagonist Perceiving that he was no
match at this play he appealed to the trial
by rifle saying it was too much like dogs Tor
men and hunters to fight in this manner
The stranger assented to tie trial, but told
the young man that before be proceeded to
put it TO test he had better witness what be
was able to do with that weapon, saying
that he was as much superior in the use of
the rife, as he was in bodily strength. 70
proof he bid him place q mark the size OF q
dollar on the side Of huge poplar that
stood beside them, from which he would
start with bis rife unlonded, and running q
| hundred yards at full speed be would load it as
he ran, aud wheeling, discharge it instantly to
the ceuter of the mark. The feat was no
sooner proposed than performed, the ball
striking the center of the diminutiye target.
Astonisbed at bis Skill his antagonist now
enquired bis name.
Lewis Wetzel, ut yonr service
Forgetting his animos;ty, the young hunter
seized him by the hand with all the ador Of
youthful admiration, and at once acknowl-
| edged his own interiorty. So charmed was
| he with Wetzels frsukness, skill and fine
returning with him to the Dunkard's settle
ment, that he might exhibit his dexterity to
his own family, aud to the hardy backwoods.
men-his neig ghbors. Nothing 10th to such
, an exhibition and pleased with the energy
OF bis new acquaintance, Wetzel agreed to
accompany hun, shortening their way with
their mutual tales OF hunting excursions, and
hazardous contests with the common enemies
of :he country. Amongst other things,
Wetzel stated his manner of distinguishing
the footsteps of white man from those of an
Indian. although covered with moccasins
and intermXeI with the tracks of the sava-
ges. II had acquired this fact from closely
examining the manner of placing the feet the
Indian stepping in parallel lines, and FIRST
bringing the toe to the ground, while the
white man almost invariably first touches his
heel to the earth, aud places his feet OF an
angle with the line of march.
An opportunity they little expected, soon
gave him a chance Of putting his skill to tie
trial. On reaching the younL mans house,
which they did late in the afternoon, they
found the dwelling smoking ruin, and all
the family murdered and scalped, except q
young woman, who had been brought up by
his parents, and to whom the young man was
tenderly attached. She had been taken away
alive, as was ascertaned by examining the
trail Of the sayagrs. Wetzel soon discovered
10y close inspection os the foot marks, that
the party consisted of three Indians and q
reuagade white man, an Occurrance not un.
common in those days, when for crime or the
baser purpose of revenge, the white outlaw
fled to the savages. and was adopted on trial
into their TRIBE. AS it was late in the day,
The nearest help still at some considerable
distance, and as there were only four to con
tend with they decided on immediate pursuit
Aud moreover, as the deed had very recently
been done, they hoped to overtake them in
their camp that night or perhaps before they
cOuid cross the Ohio river, TO which the Ind.
ans always retreated after affecting q success.
ful foray considering themselves, in a man.
ner, safe from pursuit when they had crossed
to its right bank. at that time wholly occu-
pied by the Indian tribes. Ardent and un-
wearied was the pursuit--tbe one to recover
his lost love. and the other to assist his new
friend, and take revenge for the slaughter Of
his cOuntrynen slaughter and revenge being
at that period the daily business OF the bor-
derers.
Wetzel followed the trail OF The retreating
savages with the unerring sagacity of blood
hound, anG just at dusk. traced them to the
Ohio, some miles below Wheeling, nearly op-
poste the mouth Of Captna creek. Much
to their disappointment they soon found that
the Indians had crossed the river. by con-
s,ructing raft OF logs and brush--their
usual manner OF passing stream when ut q
distance from their villages. BY carefully
examining "the signs" on the opposite shore
Wetzel directly discovered the fire of the
Indian camp, in hollow way. q 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 de-
termined to swim the stream few rods be-
low. This they easily accomplished, both
being excellent swimmers. Fastening their
clothes in bundle on the tops Of their heads
with their rifles and ammunition above, they
reached the opposite shore in safety. After
carefully inspecting their arms and putting
every article Of defence in its proper place,
they crawled very cautiously TO u position
which gave them full view Of their enemies,
who believing themselves safe from pursuit,
were carelessly reposing around the FIRE,
thoughtless Of the fate which awaited them.
They soon discovered the young woman alive
and seated by the fire. but making much
moaning and complaint, while the white man,
whose voice they could distinctly hear from
their position, was trying to console her with
the promise Of kind usage, and al adoption
into the tribe.
The young man could hardly retain his
rage, but was for firing and rushing instantly
upon the foe. Wetzel, more cautious, told
him TO wait until daylight appeared, when
they could make the attack with a better
chance OF success aud OF also killing the
whole party; while if they attacked in the
dark part of them would certainly escape
With the earliest dawn the Indians arose,
and prepared TO depart. The young man
selected the white renegade, land Wetzel Que
Of the stoutest Indians; they both fired at
the same instant. each killing bis man. His
companion rushed forward, knife in hand. to
release the young woman, while Wetzel re.
loaded bis piece and pushed in pursuit oil the
two indians, who had taken to the woods
until they could discover the number of their
enemies. When be found be was seen by
the savages, Wetzel discharged his rife at
random, in order to draw them from their
cover. Directly they heard the report and
found themselves unhurt, they rushed upon
him before he could again reload. thinking on
an easy conquest Taking to bis heels, he
loaded his gun as he ran. unnoticed by his
pursuers, then suddenly wheeling about, dis.