The Indian made the motion of creeping on the ground. Then he stamped it with his foot, and pointed to the mark. Johnson said:
"He means he will go to the river where Alibamo was seized, take the measure of the horse's shoe, from its impression in the sand, and follow the trail. We will go with him—that is myself and Alibamo's brother."
"I must go. But stay. Nettleton has not yet returned, I have great confidence in that fellow. He may bring us intelligence."
"You had better remain here in the event of his return," said Margrave. "We will follow the trail, and when we have gained the information we require, we will let you know, and you may be able to assist us."
"We are to march to-morrow for Springfield. Price moves to-day for Cassville, and if Alibamo is again in the hands of that wretch, Branch, she will probably be removed to that place. But go, and success attend you."
The two friends, together with Fall-leaf, left the camp, and proceeded in the direction of the place where the skirmish occurred. In the course of two hours they reached the spot. Several of the dead still were upon the field, unburied, but no sign of any human being was visible, excepting these. The Indian sought for traces upon the river's bank, and discovering a spot where an evident struggle had taken place—where two horses had been turned around, and had proceeded on their way from the river at a much slower pace than toward it, judging from the length of the steps. These tracks were closely followed, and it was observed that they soon merged into others, and could no longer be distinguished. The course of the entire squadron of cavalry was toward the camp of Price, and it was decided, that the reason the first discovered marks of the horse's shoe could no longer be seen was, that they were in the lead, and those which followed obliterated the impression. And it was reasonable to suppose that Branch and Alibamo would ride at the head of the column.
The friends followed the trail until it turned to the left, and took its direction across the mountain. Upon the other side it was lost to view in the main road, among the thousand tracks which appeared in the mud. But they had seen sufficient to satisfy them that not only this squad, but the entire army under Price were on their retreat. They determined to follow on, and, if possible, to rescue Alibamo, and if this could not be done, to get exact information as to where she was kept, and then to return for assistance.