Lewis Wetzel. 17 
Ardent and unwearied was the pursuit, by the youthful huntsmen; 
the one, excited to recover his lost mistress, the other, to assist his new 
friend, and to take revenge for the slaughter of his countrymen— 
slaughter and revenge being the daily business of the borderers at this 
portentous period.* Wetzel followed the trail with the unerring saga- 
city of a blood hound ; and just at dusk traced the fugitives to a noted 
war path, nearly opposite to the mouth of Captina Creek, emptying 
into the Ohio, which, much to their disappointment, they found the 
Indians had crossed, by forming a raft of logs and brush, their usual 
manner when at a distance from their villages. By examining care- 
fully the appearances on the opposite shore, they soon discovered the 
fire of the Indian camp in a hollow way, a few rods from the river. 
Lest the noise of constructing a raft should alarm the Indians, and give 
notice of the pursuit, the two hardy adventurers determined to swim 
the stream afew rods below. ‘This they easily accomplished, being 
both of them excellent swimmers; fastening their clothes and am- 
munition ina bundle on the tops of their heads, with their rifles 
resting on the left hip, they reached the opposite shore in safety : 
after carefully examining their arms, and putting every article of at- 
tack or defense in its proper place, they crawled very cautiously to 
a position which gave them a fair view of their enemies, who, think- 
ing themselves safe from pursuit, were carelessly reposing around 
their fire, thoughtless of the fate that awaited them. They instantly 
discovered the young woman, apparently unhurt, but making much 
moaning and lamentation, while the white man was trying to pacify 
and console her with the promise of kind usage, and an adoption 
into the tribe. The young man, hardly able to restrain his rage, 
was for firing and rushing instantly upon them. Wetzel, more cau- 
tious, told him to wait until day light appeared, when they could 
make the attack with a better shatice of success, and of also killing 
the whole party, but if they attacked in the dark, a part of them 
would certainly escape. 
As soon as day light dawned, the Indians arose and prepared to 
depart. ‘The young man selecting the white renegado, and Wetzel 
an Indian, they both fired at the same time, each killing bis man. 
The young man rushed forward knife in hand, to relieve the young 
woman, while Wetzel reloaded his gun and pushed in pursuit of the two 
survivingIndians, who had taken to the woods, until they could ascer- 
* eee 1782 aid 1784. 
