34 The Winning of the West 



and burnt the homesteads, but to march out at once 

 and break the shock by a counter-stroke. 



Accordingly, on the morning of the twentieth of 

 July, they filed out of the fort, one hundred and sev- 

 enty strong, and bent their steps toward the Island 

 Flats. Well versed in woodland warfare, the fron- 

 tier riflemen marched as well as fought on a system 

 of their own, much more effective for this purpose 

 than the discipline of European regulars. The men 

 of this little levy walked strung out in Indian file, in 

 two parallel lines, 33 with scouts in front, and flank- 

 ers on either side. Marching thus they could not 

 be surprised, and were ready at any moment to do 

 battle with the Indians, in open order and taking 

 shelter behind the trees ; while regulars, crowded to- 

 gether, were helpless before the savages, whom the 

 forest screened from view, and who esteemed it an 

 easy task to overcome any number of foes if gath- 

 ered in a huddle. 34 



When near the Flats the whites, walking silently 

 with moccasined feet, came suddenly on a party of 

 twenty Indians, who, on being attacked, fled in the 

 utmost haste, leaving behind ten of their bundles 

 for the Southern warriors carried with them, when 

 on the warpath, small bundles containing their few 

 necessaries. 



After this trifling success a council was held, 



33 The report of the six captains says "two divisions" ; from 

 Hay wood we learn that the two divisions were two lines, evi- 

 dently marching side by side, there being a right line and a 

 left line. 



34 See James Smith, passim. 



