y the Indians asked permission to cross to the
northern bank on an exploring expedition. Consent was given; but Major
Russel decided to go with them, taking a company of sixteen men, of
whom Crockett was one. They crossed the river and encamped upon the
other side, seeing no foe and encountering no alarm. They soon came to
a spot where the winding river, overflowing its banks, spread over a
wide extent of the flat country. It was about a mile and a half across
this inundated meadow. To journey around it would require a march of
many miles. They waded the meadow. The water was very cold, often up to
their armpits, and they stumbled over the rough ground. This was not
the poetry of war. But still there is a certain degree of civilization
in which the monotony of life is relieved by such adventures.

When they reached the other side they built large fires, and warmed and
dried themselves. They were in search of a few fugitive Indian
warriors, who, fleeing from Pensacola, had scattered themselves over a
wilderness many hundred square miles in extent. This pursuit of them,
by a thousand soldiers, seems now very foolish. But it is hardly safe
for us, seated by our quiet firesides, and with but a limited knowledge
of the circumstances, to pass judgment upon the measure.

The exploring party consisted, as we have mentioned, of nearly two
hundred Indians, and sixteen white men. They advanced very cautiously.
Two scouts were kept some distance in the advance, two on the side
nearest the river, and five on their right. In this way they had moved
along about six miles, when the two spies in front came rushing
breathlessly back, with the tidings that they had discovered a camp of
Creek Indians. They halted for a few moments while all examined their
guns and their priming and prepared for battle.

The Indians went through certain religious ceremonies, and getting out
their war-paint, colored their bodies anew. They then came to Major
Russell, and told him that, as he was to lead them in the battle, he
must be painted too. He humored them, and was painted in the most
approved style of an Indian warrior. The plan of battle was arranged to
strike the Indian camp by surprise, when they were utterly unprepared
for any resistance. The white men were cautiously to proceed in the
advance, and pour in a deadly fire to kill as many as possible. The
Indians were then, taking advantage of the panic, to rush in with
tomahawk and scalping-knife,