They had been thus riding along when Crockett, in the advance, heard the noise of some animals or persons apparently approaching.

At a given signal, instantly the whole party stopped.

Every man grasped his rifle, ready in case of need, to leap from his horse, and select the largest tree near him as a rampart for the battle.
All solicitude was, however, soon dispelled by seeing simply two persons advancing along the trail on Indian ponies.

They proved to be two negro slaves who had been captured by the Indians, and who, having escaped, were endeavoring to make their way back to their former master.

They were brothers, and being both very stout men, and able to speak the Indian as well as the English language, were esteemed quite a powerful reinforcement to the Crockett party.
They rode quietly along another hour and a half, when toward midnight they saw in the distance the gleam of camp-fires, and heard shouts of merriment and revelry.