312 WILD SPOKTS IN THE SOUTH. 



The dear-bought experieuce of the American troops 

 had not been profitless, and the company we were with 

 was as Arell organized as it Avas possible to be. The men 

 were frontiersmen, quick in the use of the rifle, unterri- 

 fied by the appalling sights and sounds of Indian war- 

 fare and — what was of vital importance — accustomed to 

 the country, and skilled in woodcraft. They could sup- 

 port themselves, if need be, in a swamp, or build a town 

 there without foreign assistance. The rules adopted for 

 crossing the country were as follows : No more baggage 

 to each man than was absolutely necessary, and this bag- 

 gage to consist only of food and ammunition ; each man 

 to carry his own share. One guide Avas placed ahead of 

 the detachment about three hundred yards ; within 

 sight of him and of the column, another. These men 

 were the most experienced of the hunters, and generally 

 one a friendly Indian. To their knowledge of the geo- 

 graphy of the country the party was indebted for the 

 directness of its route, to their quick eye for its security 

 from ambush, and to their observation of every passing 

 footstep on the land, marks of j^addles on the shallow 

 bottom of rivers, or the shmy projecting logs, its acquain- 

 tance with the movements of outlying parties of Indians, 

 or the recent passage of friend or foe. How small these 

 signs might be, and yet be detected, how blind and yet 

 be read, is one of those mysteries of the woods that are 

 ,<^sclosed only to the observant and the practised. Their 

 very description excites incredulity. The passage of one 

 yf these scouting parties through the Indian country Avas 



