Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-06-03
ruide who went by the. somewhat mu-

guide who went by the. somewhat mu-
steal name ofFriday, was an old negro,
whom we had taken from the Indians
a few days before. He told us, upon
landing that the. Indian Camp or Viii
lage was about four miles distant, upon
the cas- bank of the St. Johns River.
We ha however, some little expert
ence g length of Indian miles, and
know -. well, that multiplying the
given number of miles by two, then
adding three, we would come much
nearer the exact distance. The result
ofthis march fully proved the correct
ness of the rule. We struck blind
trail, which none but an Indian could
have discovered, and directed our course
for the St. Johns. The first mile or
two was through one of those dense
Cypress Svamps, with which the South
ern part of Florida is SO beautifully
supplied. We succeeded at last in ex-
Treating ourselves, when we struck the
high rolling Pine Barren on the oppo-
site side, which, if not as cool as the
swamp, was much better adapted to
marching. After having marched "a
bout an hour and half, we called a
halt, aud threw ourselves upon the
grass to rest. Our guide, upon deing
questioned, told us'' me guess be be
about two miles yet" as we had come
nearly half the way. With this con-
ISOLATION, after cooling ourselves for a
few moments, We renewed our march,
Friday, leading the way at a most rapid
rate. Our men, however, were in high
spirits, and would willingly have en-
dured any hardships so long as there
was a chance of meeting the enemy.
Our expedition, thus far, had been very
successful. We had had two or three
brushes with the Indians, had killed
and taken some forty-five or fifty OF
them, and the taste of blood seemed
only TO excite thirst for more.
We had marched some two hours
longer, crossing dense swamps, skirt
ing dark hammocks and fording deep
creeks, when our guide SUDDENLY stop
ped and pointed out to T and my
self, who were in advance, the thin
smoke of the Indian fires curling a
mongst the trees Of large hammock
just in our front.
Dispositions were Immediately made
for attacking them. The utmost ST.
lence was enjoined and we commenced
our approach-owing to the thickness
of the hammock, it was impossible Tor
ue to tell whether we had been discov-
cred or not; but as the Indians were
generally on the "qui vive," we felt
c onfdsnt they knew of our approach,
and expected to have striking proof
within suitable distance. The ground
over which we had to pass, was entire.
ly clear, not tree, not a bush even
offered themselves for our protection,
and as we approached to within $50
yards Of the hammock, our feelings
were strung TO the highest pitch. A
few yards brought US to an uncom-
Portable approximation with the In
dams rifle, and the firmly set teeth and
compressed brow showed that the
whistling of the ball, would be far pref
cradle to this state of suspense. We
gained the edge of the hammock with
out receiving their fire, when we a.
gain breatbed freely, as it was certain
that we had not been discovered, and
could therefore meet them more on an
equality. We were now within a few
wards, and hasty glance which we
caught through the logs and brush,
with which this side of their camp was
protected, showed that they were Who'll
ly unaware that twenty good mnskets
were in such dangerous proximity to
them. Some were idly leaning against
trees. others were stretched at full
length upon the ground, while some
children were amusing themselves a.
round fire at he expense OF go
pher," that had been placed upon the
burning Goals for their evening meal.
Scarcely had this hasty glance been ia
ken. when their faithful dogs, having
scented us, gave the alarm. The COM
mand ''forward" was given, and as we
leap TIE enclosure, the shrill war whoop
of the Indians, the shout of our own
men, thecrack OF the rifle and the heavy
sound of our own volley awoke the ST.
lence of the surrounding woods. The
strife was short The Indians taken
by surprise, made but a slight resis-
lance and disappeared in the surround