I THE WOUNDED PIONEER. HEROES AND HUNTERS OF THE WEST: COMPRISING SKETCHES AND ADVENTURES OP BOONE, KENTON, BRADY, LOGAN, WHETZEL, FLEEHART, HUGHES, JOHNSTON, &c. PHILADELPHIA I H. C. PECK & THEO. BLISS. 1853. / Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, BY H. C. PECK & THEO. BLISS, in the Clerk's Oflfice of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. CONTENTS. Daniel Boone, 11 Simon Kenton, • . , 19 George Rogers Clarke, 24 Benjamin Logan, . ' 32 Samuel Brady, 38 Lewis Whetzel, 45 Caffree, M'Clure, and Davis, 58 Charles Johnston, 66 Joseph Logston, 74 Jesse Hughes, 81 Siege of Fort Henry, 87 Simon Girty, 103 Joshua Fleehart, 118 Indian Fight on the Little Muskingum, . . . 129 Escape of Return J. Meigs, 137 Estill's Defeat, 144 A Pioneer Mother, 154 The Squatter's Wife and Daughter, .... 167 Captain William Hubbell, 173 Murder of Cornstalk and his Son, .... 185 Massacre jdf Chicago, . * 189 Desertion of a young White Man from a party of Indians, 219 Morgan's Triumph, 229 Massacre of Wyoming, 233 Heroic Women of the West, 243 Indian Stratagem Foiled, 250 Blackbird, 265 A Desperate Adventure, 268 Adventure of Two Scouts, 276 A Young Hero of the West 299 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 \ http://archive.org/details/heroeshuntersofw01duke PEEFACE. To the lovers of thrilling adventure, the title of this work would alone be its strongest recommendation. The exploits of the Heroes of the West, need but a simple narration to give them an irresistible charm. They dis- play the bolder and rougher features of human nature in their noblest light, softened and directed by virtues that have appeared in the really heroic deeds of every age, and form pages in the history of this country destined to be read and admired when much that is now deemed more important is forgotten. It is true, that, with the lights of this age, we regard many of the deeds of our western pioneer as aggressive, barbarous, and unworthy of civilized men. But there is no truly noble heart that will not swell in admiration of the devotion and disinterestedness of Benjamin Logan, the self-reliant energy of Boone and Whetzel, and the steady firmness and consummate military skill of George Rogers Clarke. The people of this country need records of the lives of such men, and we have attempted to present these in an attractive form. (vii) CAPTUKE OF BOONE. 4 HEROES OF THE WEST. N all notices of border life, the name of Daniel Boone appears first — as the hero and the father of the west. In him were united those qualities which make the accomplished fron- tiersman — daring, ac- tivity, and circumspec- tion, while he was fitted beyond most of his contemporary borderers to lead and command. Daniel Boone was born either in Virginia or Pennsyl- vania, and at an early age settled in North Carolina, upon the banks of the Yadkin. In 1767, James Findley, the (11) 12 HEB^ES OF THE WEST. 'i ■ first white man who eWr visited Kentucky, returned to the settlements of North Carolina, and^gave such a glowing account of that wilderness, that Boone determined to ven- ture into it, on a hunting expedition. Accordingly, in 1769, accompanied by Findley and four others, he com- menced his journey. Kentucky was found to be all that the first adventurer had represented, and the hunters had fine sport. The country was uninhabited, but, during cer- tain seasons, parties of the northern and southern Indians visited it upon hunting expeditions. These parties fre- quently engaged in fierce conflicts, and hence the beautiful region was known as the "dark and bloody ground." On the 22d of December, 1769, Boone and one of his companions, named John Stuart, left their encampment on the Red river, and boldly followed a bufi'alo path far into the forest. While roving carelessly from canebrake to canebrake, they were suddenly alarmed by the appear- ance of a party of Indians, who, springing from their place of concealment, rushed upon them with a swiftness which rendered escape impossible. The hunters were seized, disarmed, and made prisoners. Under these ter- rible circumstances, Boone's presence of mind was admi- rable. He saw that there was no chance of immediate escape ; but he encouraged his companion and constrained himself to follow the Indians in all their movements, with so constrained an air, that their vigilance began to relax. On the seventh evening of the captivity of the hunter, the party encamped in a thick cane-break, and having built a large fire lay down to rest. About midnight, Boone, who had not closed his^eyes, ascertained from the deep DANIEL BOONE. 15 DANIEL BOONE. breathing of all around him, that the whole party, including Stuart, was in a deep sleep. Gently extricating himself from the savages who lay around him, he awoke Stuart, informed him of his determination to escape, and exhorted him to follow without noise, gtuart obeyed with quickness and silence. ^ Rapidly moving through the forest, guided by the light of the stars and the barks of the trees, the hunters reached their former camp the next day, but found it plundered and deserted, with nothing remaining to show the fate of their companions. Soon afterwards, Stuart was shot and scalped, and Boone and his brother who had come into the wilderness from North Carolina, were left alone in the forest. Nay, for several months, Daniel had not a single companion, for his brother returned to North 16 HEROES OP THE WEST. Carolina for ammunition. The hardy hunter was exposed to the greatest dangers, but he contrived to escape them all. In 1771, Boone and his brother returned to North Carolina, and Daniel, having sold what property he could not take with him, determined to take his family to Kentucky, and make a settlement. He was joined by others at " Powel's Valley," and commenced the journey, at the head of a con- siderable party of pioneers. Being attacked by the In- dians, the adventurers were compelled to return, and it was not until 1774, that the indomitable Boone succeeded in conveying his family to the banks of the Kentucky, and founding Boonesborough. In the meantime, James Harrod had settled at the station called Harrodsburgh. Other stations were founded by Bryant and Logan— dar- ing pioneers ; but Boonesborough was the chief object of Indian hostility, and was exposad to almost incessant at- tack, from its foundation until after the bloody battle of Blue Licks. During this time, Daniel Boone was regarded as the chief support and counsellor of the settlers, and in all emergencies, his wisdom and valor was of the greatest service. He met with many 'adventures, and made some hair-breadth escapes, but survived all his perils and hard- ships and lived to a green old age, enjoying the respect and confidence of a large and happy community, which his indomitable spirit had been chiefly instrumental in founding. He never lost his love of the woods and the chase, and within a few weeks of his death might have been seen, rifle in hand, eager in the pursuit of game. SIMON KENTON. LOGAN. Simon Kenton was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, on the 15th of May, 1755. His parents were poor, and until the age of sixteen his days seem to have been passed in the laborious drudgery of a farm. When he was about (19) 20 HEROES OF THE WEST. sixteen, an unfortunate occurrence threw him upon his own resources. A robust young farmer, named Leitch man, and he were rival suitors for the hand of a young coquette, and she being unable to decide between them, they took the matter into their own hands and fought a regular pitched battle at a solitary spot in the forest. After a severe struggle, Kenton triumphed, and left his antagonist upon the ground, apparently in the agonies of death. Without returning for a suit of clothing, the young conqueror fled westward, assumed the name of Butler, joined a party of daring hunters, and visited Kentucky, (1773.) In the wilderness he became an ac- complished and successful hunter and spy, but suiffered many hardships. In 1774, the Indian war, occasioned by the murder of the family of the chief, Logan, broke out, and Kenton entered the service of the Virginians as a spy, in which capacity he acted throughout the campaign, ending with the battle of Point Pleasant. He then explored the coun- try on both sides of the Ohio, and hunted in company with a few other, in various parts of Kentucky. "When Boonesborough was attacked by a large body of Indians, Simon took an active part in the defence, and in several of Boone's expeditions, our hero served as a spy, winning a high reputation. In the latter part of 1777, Kenton, having crossed the Ohio, on a horse-catching expedition, was overtaken and made captive by the Indians. Then commenced a series of tortures to which the annals of Indian warfare, so deeply tinged with horrors, afford few parallels. Having kicked SIMON GIRTY. SIMON KENTON. * 23 and cuffed him, the savages tied him to a a pole, in a very painful position, where they kept him till the next morning, then tied him on a wild colt and drove it swiftly through the woods to Chilicothe. Here he was tortured in various ways. The savages then carried him to Picka- way, where it was intended to burn him at the stake, but from this awful death, he was saved through the influence of the renegade, Simon Girty, who had been his early friend. Still, Kenton was carried about from village to village, and tortured many times. At length, he was taken to Detroit, an English post, where he was well- treated ; and he recovered from his numerous wounds. In the summer of 1778, he succeeded in effecting his escape, and, after a long march, reached Kentucky. Kenton was engaged in all the Indian expeditions up to Wayne's decisive campaign, in 1794, and was very serviceable as a spy. Few borderers had passed through so many hardships, and won so bright a reputation. He lived to a very old age, and saw the country, in which he had fought and suffered, formed into the busy and popu- lous state of Ohio. In his latter days, he was very poor, and, but for the kindness of some distinguished friends, would have wanted for the necessaries of life. SeoS^cjc ^{oge^3 6i^irl{e. In natural genius for military command, few men of the west have equalled George Rogers Clarke. The con- ception and execution of the famous expedition against Kaskaskia and Vincennes displayed many of those quali- ties for which the best generals of the world have been eulogized, and would have done honor to a Clive. Clarke was born in Albermarle county, Virginia, in September, 1753. Like Washington, he engaged, at an early age, in the business of land surveying, and was fond of several branches of mathematics. On the breaking out of Dunmore's war, Clarke took command of a company, and fought bravely at the battle of Point Pleasant, being (24\ GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE. GEOKGE ROGERS CLARKE. 27 engaged in the only active operation of the right wing of the Virginians against the Indians. Peace was concluded soon after, by Lord Dunmore, and Clarke, whose gallant bearing had been noticed, was offered a commission in the royal service. But this he refused, as he apprehended that his native country would soon be at war with Great Britain. Early in 1775, Clarke visited Kentucky as the favorite scene of adventure, and penetrated to Harrodsburgh. His talents were immediately apprecia^d by the Kentuckians, and he was placed in command of all the irregular troops in that wild region. In 1776, the young commander ex- erted himself with extraordinary ability to secure a politi- cal organization and the means of defence to Kentucky, and was so successful as to win the title of the founder of the commonwealth.^ In partisan service against the Indians, Clarke was active and efficient ; but his bold and comprehensive mind looked to checking savage inroads at their sources. He saw at a glance, that the red men were stimulated to outrages by the British garrisons of Detroit, Vincennes and Kaskaskia, and was satisfied that to put an end to them, those posts must be captured. Having sent two spies to reconnoitre Kaskaskia and Vincennes, and gained considerable intelli- gence of the situation of the enemy, the enterprising com- mander sought aid from the government of Virginia to enable him to carry out his designs. After some delay, money, supplies, and a few companies of troops were ob- tained. Clarke then proceeded to Corn Island, opposite * Butler. 28 HEROES OF THE WEST. the present city of Louisville. Here the objects of the expedition were disclosed. Some of the men murmured, and others attempted to desert ; but the energy of Colonel Clarke secured obedience and even enthusiasm. The little band soon commenced its march throui^rh a "wild and difficulty country, and on the 4th of July, 1778, reached a spot within a few miles of the town of Kaskas- kia. Clarke made his arrangements for a surprise with great skill and soon after dark, the town was captured without shedding a dro$) of blood. The inhabitants were at first terror-stricken and expected to be massacred, but they were soon convinced of their mistake by the bearing and representations of the Virginia commander. Cahokia was captured shortly afterwards, without difficulty. Clarke's situation was now extremely critical, and he duly appreciated the fact. Vincenn^s was still in front, so garrisoned, that it seemed madness to attempt its cap- ture by direct attack. But a bold oflfensive movement cqjild alone render the conquests which had been mad'e, permanent and advantageous. A French priest, named Gibault, secured the favor of the inhabitants of Vincennes for the American interest, and the Indians of the neigh- borhood were conciliated by the able management of Co- lonel Clarke, who knew how to win the favor of the men better than any other borderer ; but on the 29th of Jan- uary, 1779, intelligence was received at Kaskaskia, where Clarke was then posted, that Governor Hamilton had taken possession of Vincennes, and meditated the re-capture Of the other posts, preparatory to assailing the whole frontier, as far as Fort Pitt. \ GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE. 31 Clarke determined to act upon the offensive imniediatcl j, as his only salvation. Mounting a galley with two four- pounders and four swivels, and manning it with forty- six men, he dispatched it up the Wabash, to the White River, and on the 7th of February, 1779, marched from Kaskaskia at the head of only one hundred and seventy men, over the drowned lands of the Wabash, against the British post. The march of Arnold by way of the Ken- nebec to Canada can alone be placed as a parallel with th^' difficult expedition. The indomitable spirit of Clarke sus tained the band through the most incredible fatigues. On the 28th the expedition approached the town, still undis- covered. The American commander then issued a pro- clamation, intended to produce an impression that his fOrce was large and confident of success, and invested the fort. So vigorously was the siege prosecuted that the garrison was reduced to straits, and Governor Hamilton compelled to capitulate. (24th of February, 1779.) This was a brilliant achievement and reflected the highest honor upon Colonel Clarke and his gallant band. Detroit was now in full view, and Clarke was confident he could capture it if he had but five hundred men ; but he could not obtain that number, till the chances of success were annihilated, and thus his glorious expedition terminated. The object of the enterprise, however, which was the checking of In- dian depredations, was accomplished. Clarke afterwards engaged in other military enterprises and held high civil offices in Kentucky ; but at the capture of Vincennes his fame reached its greatest brilliancy, and posterity will not willingly let it die. The real heroic spirit, which delights in braving the greatest dangers in the cause of humanity, was embodied in Benjamin Logan, one of the first settlers in Kentucky, This distinguished borderer was born in Augusta county, Virginia. At an early age he displayed the noble im- pulses of his heart ;i> for upon the death of his father, when the laws of Virginia allowed him, as the eldest son, the whole property of the intestate, he sold the farm and distributed the money among his brothers and sisters, re- serving a portion for his mother. At the age of twenty- one, Logan removed to the banks of the Holston, where (32) « BENJAMIN LOGAN. 35 he purchased a farm and married. He served in Dun- more's war. In 1775, he removed to Kentucky, and soon became distinguished among the hardy frontiersmen for firmness, prudence, and humanity. In the following year he returned for his family, and brought them to a small settlement called Logan's Fort, not far from Harrodsburgh. On the morning of the 20th of May, 1777, the women were milking the cows at the gate of the little fort, and some of the garrison attending them, whert a party of Indians appeared and fired at them. One man was shot dead, and two more wounded, one of them mortally. The whole party instantly ran into the fort, and closed the gate. The enemy quickly showed themselves at the edge of the canebrake, within rifle-shot of the gate, and seemed numerous and determined. A spectacle was now pre- sented to the garrison which awakened interest and com- passion. A man, named Harrison, had been severely wounded, and still lay near the spot where he had fallen. The poor fellow strove to crawl towards the fort, and suc- ceeded in reaching a cluster of bushes, which, however, were too thin to shelter his person from the enemy. His wife and children in the fort were in deep distress at his situation. The case was one to try the hearts of men. The numbers of the garrison were so small, that it was thought folly to sacrifice any more lives in striving to save one seemingly far spent. Logan endeavored to per- suade some of the men to accompany him in a sally ; but the danger was so appalling that only one man, John Martin, could be induced to make the attempt. The gate was opened, and the two sallied forth, Logan leading the 36 HEROES OF THE WEST. way. They had advanced about five steps, when Harri- son made a vigorous attempt to rise, and Martin, supposing him able to help himself, sprang back within the gate. Harrison fell at full-length upon the grass. Logan paused a moment after the retreat of Martin, then sprang for- ward to the spot where Harrison lay, seized the wounde(^ man in his arms, and in spite of a tremendous shower of balls poured from every side, reached the fort without re- ceiving a scratch, though the gate and picketing near him were riddled and his clothes pierced in several places. Soon afterwards, the heroic Logan again performed an act of self-devotion. The fort was vigorously assailed, and although the little garrison made a brave defence, their destruction seemed imminent, on account of the scarcity of ammunition. Holston was the nearest point where supplies could be obtained. But who would brave so many dangers in the attempt to procure it ? No one but Logan. After encouraging his men to hope for hia speedy return, he crawled through the Indian encampment on a dark night, proceeded by by-paths, which no white man had then trodden, reached Holston, obtained a supply of powder and lead, returned by the same almost inac- cessible paths, and got safe within the walls of the fort. The garrison was inspired with fresh courage, and in a few days, the appearance of Colonel Bowman, with a body of troops, compelled the savages to retire. Logan led several expeditions into the Indian country, and won a high renown as one of the boldest and most successful of Kentucky's heroes. When the Indian de- predations were, in a great measure, checked, he devoted BENJAMIN LOGAN. 37 himself to civil affairs, and exerted considerable influence upon the politics of the country. Throughout his career, he was beloved and respected as a fearless, honest, and intelligent man. Captain Samuel Brady was the Daniel Boone of Western Pennsylvania. As brave as a lion, as swift as a deer, and as cautious as a panther, he gave the Indians reason to tremble at the mention of his name. As the captain of the rangers he was the favorite of General Brodhead, the commander of the Pennsylvania forces, and regarded by the frontier inhabitants as their eye and arm. The father and brother of Captain Brady being killed by the Indians, it is said that our hero vowed to revenge their murder, and never be at peace with the Indians of (38) SAMUEL BRADY. 41 any tribe. Many instances of such dreadful vows, made in moments of bitter anguish, occur in the history of our border, and, when we consider the circumstances, we can scarcely wonder at the number, though, as Christians, we should condemn such bloody resolutions. Many of Brady's exploits are upon record ; and they are entitled to our admiration for their singular daring and ingenuity. One of the most remarkable is known in border history as Brady's Leap. The energetic Brodhead, by an expedition into the Indian country, had delivered such destructive blows that the savages were quieted for a time. The general kept spies out, however, for the purpose of guarding against sudden attacks on the settle- ments. One of the scouting parties, under the command of Captain Brady, had the French creek country assigned as their field of duty. The captain reached the waters of Slippery Rock, without seeing any signs of Indians. Here, however, he came on a trail, in the evening, which he followed till dark, without overtaking the enemy. The next morning the pursuit was renewed, and Brady over- took the Indians while they were at their morning meal. Unfortunately, another party of savages was in his rear, and when he fired upon those in front, he was in turn fired upon from behind. He was now between two fires, and greatly outnumbered. Two of his men fell, his toma- hawk was shot from his side, and the enemy shouted for the expected triumph. There was no chance of successful defence in the position of the rangers, and they were compelled to break and flee. Brady ran towards the creek. The Indians pursued, 42 HEROES OF THE WEST. certain of making him captive, on account of the direc- tion he had taken. To increase their speed, they threw away their guns, and pressed forward with raised toma- hawk. Brady saw his only chance of escape, which was to leap the, creek, afterwards ascertained to be twenty- two feet wide and twenty deep. Determined never to fall alive into the hands of the Indians, he made a mighty effort, sprang across the abyss of waters and stood rifle in hand upon the opposite bank. As quick as lightning, he proceeded to load his rifle. A large Indian, who had been foremost in pursuit, came to the opposite bank, and after magnanimously doing justice to the captain by exclaiming "Blady make good jump !" made a^apid retreat. Brady next went to the place appointed as a rendezvous for his party, and finding there three of his men, commenced his homeward march, about half defeated. Three Indians had been killed while at their breakfast. The savages did not return that season, to do any injury to the whites, and early in the fall, moved off to join the British, who had to keep them during the winter, their corn having been de- stroyed by General Brodhead. Brady survived all his perils and hardships and lived to see the Indians completely humbled before those whites on whom they had committed BO many outrages. MASSACRE Or*MRS. WHETZEL AND HER CHILDREN. The Whetzel family is remembered in the west for the courage, resolution, and skill in border warfare displayed by four of its members. Their names were Martin, Lewis, Jacob, and John. Of these, Lewis won the highest re- nown, and it is doubtful whether Boone, Brady, or Kenton equaled him in boldness of enterprise. In the hottest part of the Indian w^r, old Mr. Whetzel, who was a German, built his cabin some distance from the fort at Wheeling. One day, during the absence of the'two oldest sons, Martin and John, a numerous party (45) 46 HEROES OF THE WEST. of Indians surrounded the house, killed, tomahawked and scalped old Mr. Whetzel, his wife, and the small children, and carried off Lewis, who was then about thirteen years old, and Jacob who was about eleven. Before the young captives had been carried far, Lewis contrived their escape. When these two boys grew to be men, they took a solemn oath never to make peace with the Indians as long as they had strength to wield a tomahawk or sight to draw a bead, and they kept their oath. The appearance of Lewis Whetzel was enough to strike terror into common men. He was about five feet ten inches high, having broad shoulders, a full breast, muscular limbs, a dark skin, somewhat pitted by the small pox, hair which, when combed out, reached to the calves of his legs, and and black eyes, whose excited and vindictive glance would curdle the blood. He excelled in all exercises of strength and activity, could load his rifle while running with almost the swiftness of a deer, and was so habituated to constant action, that an imprisonment of three days, as ordered by General Harmar, was nearly fatal to him. He had the most thorough self-reliance as his long, solitary and peri- lous expeditions into the Indian country prove. In the year of 1782, Lewis Whetzel went with Thomas Mills, who had been in the campaign, to get a horse, which he had left near the place where St. Clairsville now stands. At the Indian Spring, two miles above St. Clairs- ville, on the Wheeling road, they were met by about forty Indians, who were in pursuit of the stragglers from the' campaign. The Indians and the white men discovered each other about the same time, Lewis fired first, and INDIAN CHIEF. LEWIS WHETZEL. 49 killed an Indian ; the fire from the Indians wounded Mr. Mills, and he was soon overtaken and killed. Four of the Indians then singled out, dropped their guns, and pursued Whetzel. Whetzel loaded his rifle as he ran. After running about half a mile, one of the Indians hav- ing got within eight or ten steps of him, Whetzel wheeled round and shot him down, ran on, and loaded as before. After going about three-quarters of a mile further, a se- cond Indian came so close to him, that when he turned to fire, the Indian caught the muzzle of his gun, and as he expressed it, he and the Indian had a severe wring for it ; he succeeded, however, in bringing the gun to the Indian's breast, and killed him on the spot. By this time, he, as well as the Indians, were pretty well tired ; the pursuit was continued by the remaining two Indians. Whetzel, as before, loaded his gun, and stopped several times dur- ing the chase. When he did so the Indians treed them- selves. After going something more than a mile, Whet- zel took advantage of a little open piece of ground, over which the Indians were passing, a short distance be- hind him, to make a suddeA stop for the purpose of shoot- ing the foremost, who got behind a little sapling, which was too small to cover his body. Whetzel shot, and broke his thigh ; the wound, in the issue, proved fatal. The last of the Indians then gave a little yell, and said, "No catch dat man — gun always loaded," and gave up the chase ; glad, no doubt, to get off with his life. Another of this daring warrior's exploits is worthy of a place beside the most remarkable achievements of indi- vidual valor. In the year 178Tj a party of Indians crossed 4 60 HEROES OF THE WEST. the Ohio, killed a family, and scalped with impunity. This murder spread great alarm through the sparse settlements and revenge was not only resolved upon, but a handsome reward was offered for scalps. Major McMahan, who often led the borderers in their hardy expeditions, soon raised a company of twenty men, among whom was Lewis Whet- zel. They crossed the Ohio and pursued the Indian trail until they came to the Muskingum river. There the spies discovered a large party of Indians encamped. Major McMahan fell back a short distance, and held a conference when a hasty retreat was resolved upon as the most pru- dent course, Lewis Whetzel refused to take part in the council, or join in the retreat. He said he came out to hunt Indians ; they were now found and he would either lose his own scalp or take that of a "red skin." All ar- guments were thrown away upon this iron-willed man ; he never submitted to the advice or control of others. His friends were compelled to leave him a solitary being sur- rounded by vigilant enemies. As soon as the major's party had retired beyond the reach of danger, Whetzel shouftfered his rifle, and marched off into a different part of the country, hoping that fortune would place a lone Indian in his way. He prowled through the woods like a panther, eager for prey, until the next evening, when he discovered a smoke curling up among the bushes. Creeping softly to the fire, he found two blankets and a small copper kettle, and concluded that it was the camp of two Indians. He concealed him- self in the thick brush, in such a position that he could see the motions of the enemy. About sunset the two In- I^EWIS WHETZBL. 53 dians came in, cooked and ate their supper, and then sat by the fire engaged in conversation. About nine o'clock one of them arose, shouldered his rifle, took a chunk of fire in his hand, and left the camp, doubtless in search of a deer-lick. The absence of this Indian was a source of vexation and disappointment to Whetzel, who had been so sure of his prey. He waited until near break of day, and still the expected one did not return. The concealed warrior could delay no longer. He walked cautiously to ' the camp, found his victim asleep, and drawing a knife- buried it in the red man's heart. He then secured the scalp, and set ofi" for home, where he arrived only one day after his companions. For the scalp, he claimed and received the reward. Here is another of Lewis Whetzel's remarkable ex- ploits. Returning home from a hunt, north of the Ohio, he was walking along in that reckless manner, which is a consequence of fatigue, when his quick eye suddenly caught sight of an Indian in the act of raising his gun to fire. Both sprung like lightning to the woodman's forts, large trees, and there they stood for an hour, each afraid of the other. This quiet mode of warfare did not suit the restless Whetzel, and he set his invention to work to terminate it. Placing his bear-skin cap on the end of his ramrod, he protruded it slightly and cautiously as if he was putting his head to reconnoitre, and yet was hesi- tating in the venture. The simple savage was completely deceived. As soon as he saw the cap, he fired and it fell. Whetzel then sprang forward to the astonished red man, and with a shot from the unerring rifle brought him to 54 HEROES OF THE WEST. the ground quite dead. The triumphant ranger then pursued his march homeward. But it was in a deliberate attack upon a party of four Indians that our hero displayed the climax of daring and resolution. While on a fall hunt, on the Muskingum, he came upon a camp of four savages, and with but little hesitation resolved to attempt their destruction. He con- cealed himself till midnight, and then stole cautiously upon the sleepers. As quick as thought," he cleft the skull of one of them. A second met the same fate, and as a third attempted to rise, confused by the horrid yells, which Whetzel gave with his blows, the tomahawk stretched him in death. The fourth Indian darted into the dark- ness of the wood and escaped, although Whetzel pursued him for some distance. Returning to camp, the ranger scalped his victims and then left for home. When asked on his return, " What luck ?" he replied, " Not much. I treed four Indians, and one got away." Where shall we look for deeds of equal daring and hardihood ? Martin,' Jacob, and J ohn Whetzel were bold warriors ; and in the course of the Indian war, they secured many scalps ; but they never obtained the reputation possessed by their brother, Lewis. All must condemn cruelty wherever displayed, but it is equally our duty to render just admiration to courage, daring, and indomitable energy, qualities in which the Whetzel brothers have rarely if ever been excelled. General Clark, the companion of Lewis in the celebrated tour across the Rocky Mountains, having heard much of Lewis Whetzel, in Kentucky, determined to secure his services for the exploring expedition. After considerable LEWIS WHETZEL'S STRATAGEM. LEWIS WHETZEL. 57 hesitation, Whetzel consented to go, and accompanied the party during the first three months' travel, but then de- clined going any^further, and returned home. Shortly after this, he left again on a flat-boat, and never returned. He visited a relation, named Sikes, living about twenty miles in the interior, from Natchez, and there made his home, until the summer of 1808, when he died, leaving a fame for valor and skill in border warfare, which will not be allowed to perish. About 1784, horse-stealing was as common as hunting to the whites and Indians of the west. Thefts and re- prisals were almost constantly made. Some southern Indians having stolen horses from Lincoln county, Ken- tucky, three young men, named CafFree, M'Clure, and Davis, set out in pursuit of them. Coming in sight of an Indian town, near the Tennessee river, they met three (58) CAFFREE, m'CLURE, AND DAVIS. 61 red men. The two "parties made signs of peace, shook hands, and agreed to travel together. Both were suspi- cious, however, and at length, from various indications, the whites became satisfied of the treacherous intentions of the Indians, and resolved to anticipate them. Cafi'ree being a very powerful man, proposed that he himself should seize one Indian, while Davis and M'Clure should shoot the other two. Cafiree sprang boldly upon the nearest Indian, grasped his throat firmly, hurled him to the ground, and drawing a cord from his pocket attempted to tie him. At the same instant, Davis and M'Clure at- tempted to perform their respective parts. M'Clure killed his man, but Davis's gun missed fire. All three, i. e. the two white men, and the Indian at whom Davis had flashed, immediately took trees, and prepared for a skirmish, while Caffree remained upon the ground with the captured Indian — both exposed to the fire of the others. In a few seconds, the savage at whom Davis had flashed, shot Caffree as he lay upon the ground and gave him a mortal wound — and was instantly shot in turn by M'Clure who had reloaded his gun. Caffi-ee becoming very weak, called upon Davis to come and assist him in tying the In- dian, and directly afterwards expired. As Davis was running up to the assistance of his friend — the Indian re- leased himself, killed his captor, sprung to his feet, and seizing Caff'ree's rifle, presented it menacingly at Davis, whose gun was not in order for service, and who ran off" into the forest, closely pursued by the Indian. M'Clure hastily reloaded his gun and taking the rifle which Davis had dropped, followed them for some distance into 62 HERbES OF THE WEST. the forest, making all signals which had been concerted between them in case of separation. All, however, was vain — he saw nothing more of Davis, nor could he ever afterwards learn his fate. As he nev^r returned to Ken- tucky, however, he probably perished. M'Clure, finding himself alone in the enemy's country, and surrounded by dead bodies, thought it prudent to abandon the object of the expeditio/i and return to Ken- tucky. He accordingly retraced his steps, still bearing Davis' rifle in addition to his own. He had scarcely marched a mile, before he saw advancing from the opposite direc- tion, an Indian w^arrior, riding a horse with a bell around its neck, and accompanied by a boy on foot. Dropping one of the rifles, which might haxe created suspicion, M'Clure advanced with an air of confidence, extending his hand and making other signs of peace. The opposite party appeared frankly to receive his overtures, and dismounting, seated himself upon a log, and drawing out his pipe, gave a few puff's himself, and then handed it to M'Clur