They crossed the river, at what was called Ditto's Landing, and advancing about seven miles beyond, found a very secluded spot, one of nature's hiding-places, where they took up their encampment for the night.
Here they chanced to come across a man by the name of John Haynes, who for several years had been a trader among the Indians.

He was thoroughly acquainted with the whole region about to be traversed, and consented to act as a guide.

For the next day's march, instructed by their guide, the party divided into two bands, following along two obscure trails, which came together again after winding through the wilderness a distance of about twenty miles.

Major Gibson led a party of seven, and David Crockett the other party of six.
The Cherokee Indians, a neighboring nation, powerful and warlike, were not in alliance with the Creeks in this war.

They were, at that time, in general friendly to the whites.