Year: 1863

er was less fortunate. Intensely hated
by the Indians, for he was one of their
most notorious and skillfull foes, he at
once became the centre upon which their
malignity was concentrated. Burning
with hatred and desire for revenge,
they crowded around him as he dashed
forward in the rear of his men and suc-
ceeded in cutting him off from the gate.
Finding himself unable, after the most
strenuous efforts, to accomplish his en-
trance, and seeing the uselessness of
conflict against such force, he suddenly
wheeled his horse and fled in the direc-
ton of Wheeling hill.


A throng of warriors cut off his retreat
in this direction, driving him back upon
another party who blocked up the pass
behind: while third party closed in up
or him on one Of the other sides of the
square. The fourth and open side was
in the direction of the brow of precip-
itous ledge of rocks, nearly one hundred
and fifty feet in height, at the foot of
which flowed the waters of Wheeling
Creek. AS he momentarily halted and
took rapid survey of the dangers which
surrounded him on all sides, ne felt that
his chance was indeed a desperate one.
The Indians had not fired a shot; as
they could easily have killed him had
they chosen to do so, he saw at a glance
their intention was to take him alive, if
possible, that his ashes might be offered
up as sacrifice to the names of their de-
parted friends slain by his hand. This
was to die "a thousand deaths, in preference
to which he determined to run the risk of
being dashed to pieces; and he struck
his heels against the sides of his steed
who sprang forward toward the precipice
The encircling warriors as they saw him
SO completely within their coils, raised a
yell of triumph, little dreaming of the
fearful energy which was to battle their
expectations. AS they saw him push his
horse in the direction of the precipice,
they stood in wonder and amaZement,
scarcely believing that it could be his
intention to attempt the awful leap which
was, to all appearances, certain death.
Mccullough still bore his rife, which he
had retained in his right hand, and care
fully gathering up the bride in his left,
he urged his noble animal forward, en-
couraging him by his voice, until they
reached the edge of the bank, when,
dashing his heels against the animals
sides, made the fearful leap into the air.
Down, down they went with fearful ve-
locity, without resistance or impediment,
until one-half of the space was passed
over, when the horses's feet struck the
smooth precipitous face of the rock, and
the remainder of the distance was slipped
and scrambled over until they reached the
bottom, alive and uninjured. With a
shout, Mccullough pushed his steed into
the stream, and in few moments horse
and rider were seen surmounting the
banks on the opposite side.


No pursuit was attempted, nor was a
shot fired at the intrepid rider. His enc
mics stood awe struck upon the brow Of
the bank whence he had leaped, and as he
disappeared from view, they returned to
the fort They did not long continue
their unavailing efforts, however, for its
capture; the numerous additions it had
received to its garrison, the fearlessness
exhibited in its Defence together with the
feat they had witnessed, dishearted them
and early in the morning, after burning
the village and capturing its entire stock
Of cattle, they beat hasty and ignomin
ious retreat.