The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-20
aud Mrs. o. taken prisoner.

that Lewis Wetsel first gave promise
of that daring aud discretion which
were 50 fully developed in his maturer
years. and which rendered him among
the most fortunate and successful of
Indian conbatants. When shout
fourteen years old, be and his brother
Jacob, tstill youngerj were discovered
some distance from the houfe. by
party Ct Indians. who had been
proNling through the se,tlen cnts on
the Ohio, with the expectation Of
meeting with some opportunity Of
taking scslps or making prisoners.
IS the boys were a. some distance
from them, and in a situation too
open 10 admit Of their being ap-
preached without perceiYing those who
advanced towards them, TIE Indians
determined on shooting the larger
one, lest his great activity might
enable him TO escape. Il shot Was
accordingly discharged at him, which,
partially tax ns effect and removing a
portion, Of his breast hone. 50 far
dsrFiT@d hin Of his wonted powers,
that he Was easily oycrtakcn, and both
he and his brother were made prison
crs. The Indians Immediately
directed their steps towards their
towns, and having travelled about
twenty miles beyond the Ohio,
cncamped at the Big Lick, on the
waters Of alcMahon's creek, on the
second hight sitter they had set off.
When they had finished eating, the
mt'ians laid down. without combining
the boys as on the preceding night,
and soon fell asleep. Aftcr making
some little movements to test the
soundness Of their reposc, Lewis
whispered to his brother that he mus.
get np,and go home with MIN and
after some hesitation TN the part Of
Jacob, they arose and set of. Upon
, getting about 100 yards from the
camp, Lewis stopped, and telling his
brother to Walt there, returned to the
camp and brought f.omthcncc 3 pair
Of m1ccasins for each of them. lie
again went back ana 60. his fathers
gun, and they then commenced their
Journey home. The noon shining
brightly, they were easily enabled to
distinguish the trail which they had
made in going oat; but had not.
however. pursued it far before they
heard the Indians coming in pursuit
Of them. So soon as Lewis perceived
by the sound Of their voices that they
we're approaching solcrably near to
them, he led his brother aside from
the path, aad squatting down, con
ccalcd themselves till their pursuers
had passed them, when they again
commenced travelling, in the rear of
the Indians. Not oYcrtakins the
boys as soon as was expected, they
began to retrace their steps. ''Eyi
pccting this, the boys we're watchful
Of every noise or object before them,
and when they heard the Indians
returning, again sccreted themselves
in the bushes, and escaped o5serva,
tion. They were then followed by
the two who had made them prisoners,
on horseback, but by practising the
same stratrgem, they eludcd them
also, and on the next dayreachcd the
Ohio river opposite to Wheeling.
Apprehcnsiyc that it would be dan.
gcrous to a7prizc those on the opposite
side Of the river Of their situation by
hallo;ns, Lewis set himself 10 work as
silently. and We, IS exPeditiously as
possible, and With the aid OF his little
brother, soon completed raft on which
they safely crossed the 0hio,animade
their way home. sf,.. ,.s,.,,
he -
About the first Of September, tie
troops placed under the command of
General Lewis, rendezyoused at Camp
Union, now Lewisburg, and consistcd
Of two regiments, commanded by
C'L,nal E;lI;,,, Elo,,;ro, IF Dota,ou.,