Evening star., 1955-05-11
THE STORY OF c,rr, r
Davy Crockett Redskins the Rampage
By L A


out sound he pushed through the bushes until he
reached the big oak near the bank of the Taapoosa
River.
There was no living thing in sight. But fresh
moccasn tracks in the soft earth of the river bank
told Crockett what he wanted to know Steathfuly
he slipped back through the bushes.
In low tone he spoke to the men who were
waiting where he had left his horse.
"The Creeks have passed here" he said, "and
you want to do now, major?"
Maj. Russell glanced at the sky Get back to
camp before it's too dark to where we're going,
he replied. Call right men, ride on"
The men turned their horses and rode quietly
away
All day long Davy and the other scouts had been
ranging the woods, in search of Creek Indians. The
Greeks had already been defeated in one battle
the Tallapoosa River. And the scouts knew that
hundreds of painted warriors were hidden close by
in the forest. Yet they had not seen single Red
Stick
They're harder to find than fleas on black
dog" Davy thought
He looked about uneaSilV as damp January
wind rustled through the trees. Night had fallen by
the time the scouts reached the place where the army
of 900 men was encamped.
Some of the men had just come from the settle
mentS to join the army. Others like Davy Crockett
had already fought in several battles with the Creeks
Most of the were tired, and talked in low tones
as they gathered around their campfres to eat their
evening meal.
One of the newcomers looked in disgust at his
small ration OF beef. 1T amt big enough to fill up
field mouse" he complained.
Davy Crockett laughed With his hunting knife
ne cut MS piece OF meat IN TWO.
Here" he said, "have half of mine. We got used
to living on next to nothing long afore we licked the
Creeks at Taledaga"
He cleaned his knife with a handful of dry
grass, and stuck it into his belt You better keep
your rifles close by tonight he said getting to his
feet. "Ive got feeling we're in for trouble"
He lay down on the ground and rolled himself
up in his blanket. Almost at once he dropped off
to sleep, with his rifle beside him,
Before long the rest of the men were sleeping,
too. Only the guards were awake, pacing up and
down in the starlight
Hours passed The men slept peacefully. Sud-
denly-the sharp crack of rifle shot!
"Red Sticks!" shouted one of the guards
In an instant the camp was aroused. Men
Sprang to their feet and grabbed their guns Bullets
from an unseen enemy flew all about.
Mend the fires so that we can see the red
devls!" an officer shouted
Crockett and some other men leaped to pile
brush on the fires Then they for the shelter of
the trees Anxously they waited for the redskins to
rush forward. Bullets were still flying, but not
Indian appeared.
"They've got too much sense to show them
Selves" Crockett muttered
He aimed his rifle quickly at spot where an
Indian gun had just flashed in the darkness, and
pulled the trigger Then he jumped as bullet whis-
At daybreak the fighting stopped as suddenly
as it had begun number of white lay on the
ground, badly wounded Four had been killed Not
a Creek was in sight.
General Jackson called his officers together for
meeting He told them of plan by which the
Army might be able to trap the Greeks.
"We must first bury our dead and make litters
to carry the wounded" he said Then we will start
marching north to Fort Strother In order to reach
the fort we must the Enotachopco River. I am
hoping that the Greeks will track to the river and
attack our rear ranks as they make ready to cross
"If the Greeks do this, the men in the rear must
then stand and fight. The men in the front ranks
will quickly recross the river and surround the Red
Sticks on three sides"
The plan seemed good one and the officers
went at once to give orders to their men.
Davy Crockett and twenty-four other scouts
rode midway in the long column of moving men,
With keen eyes the scouts scanned the woods on
either side, keeping sharp lookout for spying red
skins. But they none.
At last the Army reached the stream. The
in the front ranks crossed at once and climbed to
the steep bank on the opposite side. The scouts
their horses splashed into the water. The in the
rear made ready to cross
Suddenly, behind them, the air was filled with
terrific whoops Hundreds of painted warriors
rushed out from behind rocks and trees. Arrows
whizZed through the air.