ehavior, and so I kept it all to myself; though I was so mad that
I was burning inside like a tar-kiln, and I wonder that the smoke
hadn't been pouring out of me at all points. Major Gibson hadn't yet
returned, and we all began to think he was killed.

The next day, though, the major got in, and brought a worse tale than I
had, though he stated the same facts as far as I went. This seemed to
put our colonel all into a fidget; and it convinced me clearly of one of
the hateful ways of the world. When I made my report, it wasn't believed
because I was no officer: I was no great man, but just a poor soldier;
but when the same thing was reported by Major Gibson! why, then it was
all as true as preaching, and the Colonel believed it, every word.

He therefore ordered breastworks to be thrown up nearly a quarter of a
mile along; and sent an express to General Jackson, requesting him to
push on like the very mischief, for fear we should all be cooked up to a
cracklin before they could get there. "Old Hickory-face" made a forced
march on getting the news, and on the next day he and his men got into
camp with their feet all blistered from the effects of their swift
journey. The volunteers therefore stood guard all together to let them
rest.

About eight hundred of the volunteers, and of that number I was one,
were sent on through Huntsville so as to get on the Indians in another
direction. After we passed Huntsville, we struck the Tennessee River at
Melton's Bluff. The river is here about two miles wide, and has so rough
a bottom in many places as to be dangerous. At this place we left some
of the horses with their feet held fast in the crevices of the rocks;
their riders went on foot.

[Illustration: FOUND A DEER THAT HAD JUST BEEN KILLED]

We pushed on till we got to what was called the Black Warrior's town,
which stood near the very spot where Tuscaloosa now stands. This Indian
town was a large one, but when we arrived we found the Indians had all
left it, scared off no doubt by our arrival. There was a large field of
corn standing out with a pretty good supply in some cribs. Without delay
we secured the corn as well as a fine quantity of dried beans, which
were very acceptable to us. Then we burned the town and left the place.

The next day we were entirely out of meat. I went to Colonel Coffee, who
was then in command of us, and asked his leave to hunt when we marched.
He gave me leave, but told me to take mighty good c