Their meat was all devoured.
They had now only corn and beans.

The soldiers were living mostly on parched corn.

Crockett went to Colonel Coffee, then in command, and stating, very truthfully, that he was an experienced hunter, asked permission to draw aside from the ranks, and hunt as they marched along.

The Colonel gave his consent, but warned him to be watchful in the extreme, lest he should fall into an Indian ambush.
Crockett was brave, but not reckless.

He plunged into the forest, with vigilant gaze piercing the solitary space in all directions.