“We’ll destroy all armed bands,” spoke the general. “And not only the bands, but their villages as well.”
At first the boating of the army’s supplies down the Tennessee River met with unforeseen obstacles because of the inexperience of the contractors who had this most important work in charge; then the cutting of a road through the dense forests, the bridging of streams and the continuing the way over the Raccoon and Lookout Mountains to the Ten Islands of the Coosa was a grim labor for even these hardy borderers. However, on about the first of November they reached the Coosa; and here another work was constructed, which was given the name of Fort Strother.
Here there was more trouble and delay by the contractors; but Jackson grasped the situation in his own ready hands, impressed all the horses and wagons in the settlements roundabout, and so the army’s requirements were much relieved.
The military force, as it had progressed into the hostile country, had been joined at different points by small bands of Cherokees. These Indians had long been upon a friendly footing with the whites, and as they were the natural foes of the Creeks they readily consented to join with Jackson against that nation. By the time the fort upon the Coosa was completed the Cherokees numbered some hundreds of young warriors, led by enterprising and warlike chiefs. On the second night at Fort Strother a fresh band of Cherokees came up, and both Jack Davis and Frank Lawrence were delighted to see Running Elk among them.
“How?” said the young hunter, as he threw himself from his horse and shook hands with them, a wide smile upon his face.
“Good,” replied Frank. “And you look quite fresh and lively yourself, Running Elk.”
“Glad to see you,” spoke Jack, who had a great regard for the young brave. “That’s a good sized war party you’ve ridden in with.”
“Much want fight Creeks,” stated Running Elk. “Creek bad medicine. Make big war. All die like wolf.”
The Creek town of Tallushatchee was no great distance from Fort Strother, and this last band of Cherokees, so it seemed, had passed quite close to it in the night.
“Heap Creek warriors at Tallushatchee,” said Running Elk to the two boys, after a time. “Great dance. Council of warriors and chiefs. White chief must be careful.”