Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-06-19

river. They're from the Muskingum
or furder west. Unhirch yr mare an
come with us"
All his young life Wetzel had heard
thrilling tales of warfare and adven-
ture with the Indians and many of
those who told them were themselves
the heroes in these stirring scenes.
Come. be quick, there's no time to
waste"
Wetzel still hesitated. His father
had forbidden him to leave the home
without his permission.
81 dassent leave he said THE
old man won't like it."
"Oh, come on, Lew" said one of
the party, little older than himself.
"Well make it all right with the old
man."
With this Wetzel led the mare out
froia The growing corn, jumped on her
back and was off in pursuit of the red
robbers. They finally came in sight
of the thieves, who were carelessly
lying about on the grass. They felt
safe, as the Ohio river was between
them and the neighborhood where
they had stolen the horses. The sto-
len horses were grazing nearby, their
legs spanceled-that is, tied with
ropes to prevent straying. The white
men made rush on the camp and, the
surprised Indians fled without at
tempting to take the horses with
them.
The farmers were greatly elated,
none more so than young Wetzel at
the easy recovery of the horses. But
the horses they had themselves ridden
in this pursuit of the thieves were jad-
ed and hungry They agreed that the
horses they had ridden should be-
turned out to grass, three of the party
to bring them home after they had re-
freshed q short time. The others,
Wetzel among them, proceeding
toward home. had not gone many
miles when they were overtaEen by
the men they had left behind, who in
formed them that the Indians had re-
turned, and that the only thing left to
do to save their scalps was to run,
and leave the horses with the thieves.
A parley was called. The leader OF
the party said there was nothing to
do but return to the settlement, leav-
ing the horses with the Indians.
THAT may do for you," said Wetzel,
but 1t won't do for me. How on
earth am ever going to face the old
man an tell him ! left that mare with
the Injuns? I'd ruther have that mare
without my scalp than to have my
scalp without the mare. I'm goin'
back"
They endeavored in vain to per-
suade him that he could accomplish
nothing.
"I'm goin' back If none O. you'll
go with me, I'll go alone"
WELL said two OF the younger men
of the party, "seein as how we mought
be held to blame for persuadin' of you
to come, wen go back with you"
SO back went these three When
they again reached the Indian camp
they saw their horses. They we've In
charge of three Indians, who evident
ly had no fear of the return of the
white men.
There's the hosses!" said Wetzel,
with little cry of delight. There's
pap's old mare, right as trivet." A
trivet In the days of the pioneers was
a three-legged stove which was really
rarely right, as all the three legs sell
dom touched the puncheon floor at
the same time.
Nov boys" said Wetzel, II s'pose
I've got you into this an III have to
see you through. Well keep shy and
find cover as we move for'ard single
file, III go first. When | reach that
third tree over there, the poplar, I'll
give the signal. Then let EN- have
it."
When Wetzel reached the poplar he
discovered that each of the Indians
had "treed"-that is, go. behind trees
after the manner of req warfare. An
other glance showed that his cnpan-
ions were running away at the top Of
their speed and would soCa h. cut of
sight. His situation was critica&-S
16-year-old boy in his first adventure.
opposed to three mature, canning.
why redskins. Wetzel's hat appeared
incautiously sticking out within range
from the side of the big poplar Crack,
crack! crack! three rifles soundeA the
hat fell and three Indians started on
a run TO secure the white lads scalp.
Now it was really an old trick that
Wetzon had played on these ungaanj-
ed savages. His head was not IN his
hat. Had 1t been--for the hat had
three bullet holes In it--there would
have been no further history of this
prince of spies and general of the
woods. No, the hat had been held on
the end of his gun barrel.
"Whoop! Whoop Whoopi" came
the fierce warriors. Wetzel stepped
from behind cover and fred. The
foremost Indian fell. The two others
came on rapidly, sure of their victim,
as his rife was empty. But he loaded
as he ran, and soon the second Indian
fell. The third pursuer, maddened by
the fate of his comrades, and not dar.
ing to turn in his fight, even had he
desired, continued the pursuit of Wet
gel The youfh's activity anA ain,