, 1859-11-04

Indians wrapped his blanket around him, shouldered
his rife, took chunk Of fire in his hand, and left
the camp, doubtless with the intention of going to
watch a deer-lick. The fire and smoke would serve
to keep off the gnats and mosquitoes. II is q re-
markabe fact, that deer are not alarmed at seeing
fire. from the circumstance Of seeing it so frequently
in the fall and winter seasons, when the leaves and
grass are dry, and the woods on fire. The absence
Of the Indian was the cause Of vexation and dsap-
pointment to our hero, whose trap was so happily
set that he considered his game secure. He still
indulged the hope that the Indian might return to
camp before day. In this be was disappointed.
There were birds in the woods that chirped and
chartered just before break Of day, and, like the
cock, gave notice to the woOdman that day would
soon appear. Lewis heard the wooded sOngster,
and determined to delay no longer the work Of
death for the return Of the Indian. He walked to
the camp with noiseless STEP and found his victim
buried in profound sleep, lying upon his side. He
drew his butcher-knie, and with all bis force, i'm
PEELED by revenge, he sent the blade through his
heart, He said the Indian gave short quiver,
and a convulsve motion, and laid still in deaths
eternal sleep. He then scalped him. and set of
for home. lie arrived at the Mingo Bottom only
one day after his unsuccessful companions.
One more Of Lewis Whetzel's tragedies, and we
are done. He set off alone (as was frequently his
CustOuIl vi lHNliul uunts ~ was ihtC III tliC
fall Of the year, when the Indians were generally
scattered in small parties on their hunting grounds.
He proceeded somewhere on the waters Of the
Muskingum River, and found a camp where four
Indians had fixed their quarters for winter hunt.
The Indians unsuspicious Of any enemies prowling
about them so late in the season, were completely
off their guard, keeping neither watch nor senti-
nels. Whetze at first hesitated about the pro-
priety Of attacking such overwhelming numbers.
After some reflection, he concluded to trust to his
usual good fortune, and began to mediate upon
his plan Of attack. lie concluded their first sleep
would be the fittest time for him to commence the
work Of death. About midnight, he thought their
senses would be most profoundly wrapped in sleep.
He determined to walk to the camp, with his rife
in one hand and his tomahawk in the other II
any Of them should happen to be awake, he could
shoot one and then run of in the darkness Of the
night and make his escape; should they be all
asleep, he would make the onset with his trusty
scalping-kuife and tomahawk. Now, reader, ina
gine that yOusee him gliding through the darkness,
with the silent, nOiseless motion Of an unearthly
demon, seeking mischief, and the keen glance Of
the iabled Argus, and then you can imagine to
your mind Whetzels silent and stealthy approach
upon his sleeping enemies. On he went to the
camp, the irc burning dmy, but aiiorting sufficient
light to distinguish the forms Of his sleeping VIC
tins. With calm intrepidity he stood moment,
rejecting on the best plan to make the desperate
assault. He set his rife against tree, determined
to use only bis knife and tomahawk, as these would
not miss their aim, il properly handled with well.
strung arm. What thrilling, horrible sight! I!
See him leaning forward, with cool selepossession
and eager vengeance as If he had been the minister
of death; he stands moment, then welding his
tomahawk, with the first blow leaves one Of them
in deaths eternal sleep. As quick as lightning,
and with tremendous yells, he applies the toma.
hawk to the secoud Indians head and sent his soul
to the land Of spirits As the third was rising,
confounded and confused with the unexpected at
tack, at two blows he fell lifeless to the ground.
The fourth darted oil, naked as he was to the woods
Whetzel pursued him some distance, but finally he
made his escape.