David was not a man of sentiment and was never disposed to contemplate the possibility of failure in any of his plans.
With a light heart he bade adieu to his wife and his children, and mounting his horse, set out for his two months' absence to hunt up and shoot the Indians.

He took only the amount of clothing he wore, as he wished to be entirely unencumbered when he should meet the sinewy and athletic foe on the battle-field.
This company, of about one hundred mounted men, commenced its march for an appointed rendezvous called Beatty's Spring.

Here they encamped for several days, waiting the arrival of other companies from distant quarters.

Ere long there was collected quite an imposing army of thirteen hundred men, all on horseback, and all hardy backwoodsmen, armed with the deadly rifle.

A more determined set of men was perhaps never assembled.