Then, with loud yells, the Indians, drawing their tomahawks, started in pursuit, expecting soon to overtake their victim.
In the early years of his Indian hunting, Wetzel had perfected himself in a practice which had saved his life many tunes, and had added much to his fame.

He could reload his rifle while running at topmost speed.

His extraordinary fleetness enabled him to keep ahead of his pursuers until his rifle was reloaded.

This trick he now employed.

Keeping up his uneven pace until his gun was ready, he turned quickly and shot the nearest Indian dead in his tracks.