There could not be much glory won by an army of two hundred men routing such a party and destroying their home.
There was also nothing to indicate that these Indians had even any unfriendly feelings.

The man and woman were employed in bruising what was called brier root, which they had dug from the forest, for food.

It seems that this was the principal subsistence used by the Indians in that vicinity.
While the soldiers were deliberating what next to do, they heard a gun fired in the direction of the scouts, at some distance on the right, followed by a single shrill war-whoop.

This satisfied them that if the scouts had met with a foe, it was indeed war on a small scale.

There seemed no need for any special caution.