ay scattered about outside
the rest. Too probably not one of the whole force had escaped. Most of
them had been scalped, showing that the Redskins had been victorious;
but they had, for some reason or other, moved off before they had
finished their horrible work. It was clear that the troops had been
surprised and destroyed by a vastly superior force before they had had
time to stand on the defensive. On either side of the space were thick
woods, in which probably the Indians had lain in ambush, when some of
the party, emerging from one end of the glade, and some from the other,
the troops had been completely surrounded.

Captain Norton appeared deeply affected when we gathered together, after
he had surveyed the battle-field. He was of opinion that the troops had
come from the west coast--probably from the Bay of Tampa--and were
marching to one of the forts to the northward. He acknowledged, too,
that we were in a fearfully dangerous predicament, and that the fate
which had overtaken the soldiers might be ours. What could our small
force avail against many hundreds of fierce warriors flushed with
victory? To turn back was as dangerous as to proceed. Should we be
pursued, we might quickly be overwhelmed. He therefore determined on
attempting to gain one of the forts, where we might hold out against
Oceola's forces.

To stop and bury the dead was impossible. The wolves and birds of prey
would soon dispose of them. We had our own safety to look after. Even
now the woods on either side might be full of our enemies, waiting only
for a favourable opportunity to set upon us. To ascertain whether there
were any foes lurking near us, the dogs, one at a time, were turned into
the woods. Before long, the loud baying of the first which was let
loose gave notice that he had discovered some one; and the scouts, led
by Tim, were at once sent forward to ascertain what was there. We
waited with our weapons ready to defend ourselves, should they be driven
back by the enemy. They soon, however, reappeared, carrying a wounded
man. Though severely hurt, he was able to speak, and informed Captain
Norton that to his belief he was the sole survivor of a force of upwards
of a hundred men, who had marched from the Bay of Tampa, intending to
proceed to Fort King, which was, it had been understood, threatened by
Oceola and his braves. Suddenly, when they did not believe an enemy was
near, having halted and piled their arms, th