West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-03-03

shoe print, With nails In the heel, was
recognized by the young man az being
that Of his. ~aflsnced, and be became al.
most ungovernable in bis determination to
Il ahead but what by reasoning and
what by threatening, Wetzel restrained
him. The discovery of the trail in this
place wes unexpected, as il had not been
conjectured that the Indians would
retreat by that route. Nevertheless, Wet
eel and bis friend pressed forward With
more ardor than ever.
They now had little difficulty in follow
ing. They crossed hills and valleys, wales
and dells, and occasionally found where
the sivages had taken 10 the beds of
streams, thinking thereby to elude pur-
suit. But that device was too common,
and did them no good at all. They could
not throw Wetzel from their trail in thai
manner. Late in the afternoon the scout
came in sight OF the Ohio at the mouth of
the CaptinA. On the other shore they saw
the Indian camp.
Waiting till it was dark, they fastened
their guns and equipHge to a slab of wood
AID swan across the Ohio, towing the
slab after them. When they had spied
out the Indian camp and noted the posi-
ton OF the prisoner, Wetzel deemed 1t
advisable TO wait till day before making
an attack. This the young man strenu-
ocsly opposed. He saw his betrothed in
the possession of savages, ard vac almost
froDtic with anxiety. He could not see
the policy in remaining idle till morning
de had vengeance in store for the red
wrctchcs, and he wanted TO "give il to
them now and be done with the fuss"
Wetzel commanded him TO be cool, or 90
back home, for there was 10 necessity for
being so rampant. With hat he submit
ted TO Wetzels plan, and they sat down
in sight of the Indian camp and awaited
the day.
As soon as the dawn began TO appear
the saYages-three Indians and Que white
man-arOso and stood moping around the
fire. Wetz Il told his friend to draw a fine
bead on the wife man, and himself would
let drive at one of the Indians. Both
fired at the same instant. Two saVages
fell. Wetzel and his friend rushed for.
ward, yelling, shrieking and gesticulating.
The two remaining indians darted OF into
the woods without guns.
The young man hurried forward and
released the captive. With HIM, this
done all done. He seemed to have for
gotten that there VIE two savag.s loft
at least he made no move toward assisting
Wetzel, VINO was running in pursit of
the iugitives, loading as he ran. Thls
ungrateful and COW, rdly conduct on his
part came well nigh being fatal to Wet
who was now some distance away
aud in critical circumstances. He had
lost sight of the indians, aud believing
them hidden behind trees, be discharged
his gun a: random to draw them from
their covcTts. This scheme was rather
more successful than he wisheC; for, as
az he fred, the two saysees sprang
up a few steps from him, and, ,nftead of
retreatirg as he had expected, they made
at him with uplifted tomshawks, yelling
- - WIEN -@AilA'ig Gih INK I'LL W
surrender. But, Lewis Wetz / VAS not in
tho habit OF surrendering, and instead of
complying with their demand, he took 10
his heels and commenced loading his gun.
They put forth their utmost exertions to
take him and thought they were about TO
succeed, when he suddenly wheeled and
shot one of them dead. The remaining
Indian was now closing in on him, apps
rently certain of getting the scalp, for
which be and his n4tion had longed and
pinned through so many hopeless years.
But Wetzel was not yet ready 20 part with
il; and kept leaping spd lodging from
tree TO tree, his long black hair living In
the wind, I'LL his gun was again loaded,
and turning, killed toe last savage and
was master of the field.
wETzEL IN Trouble WITH TIE sPASIARDs
For years Wetzel bad desired to visit
the Far South, and about this time 170O)
be was grAtifed. He took passage on a
boat bound for New Orleans, and nothing
more was heard Of him for months. At
last news came that be had been taken by
the Spaniards, and was IN prison at New
Orleans. Nothing wys known Of the
cause Of his confinement. 1t was charged
by the Spanish authorities that he had is.
sued counterfeit money, but his innocence
OF that was soon e. Established. Then it
was claimed that he had disturbed the
peace and private relations OF a Spanish
family.
b that as II may, he was kept in close
confinement and treated with great rigor
for two years. We have DO account of
how he passed the time or what his exact
condition wac, but be r1ust have suffered.
Tor those who saw him afterwards say
that bis personal appearance WAS much
changed after his release.
He would probably have died in prison
had not The United States iuterfered
and procured his ma-umIssiou. Hs was
carried TO Philadelphia and thence made
his way to Wheeling.
last YEARS oT wErzsr's LrpE.
file remained Al Wheeling but a short
time, ana again left for New Oleans.
vowiDg vengeance on the Spanlaid whom
be believer bad been the cause Of his con.
hnement. Months and months passed and