There was nothing left for Crockett's friend.
On this march the army was divided into messes of eight or ten men, who cooked and ate their food together.

This led Crockett to decide that he and his mess would separate themselves from the rest of the army, and make a small and independent band.

The Indian scouts, well armed and very wary, took the lead.

They kept several miles in advance of the main body of the troops, that they might give timely warning should they encounter any danger.

Crockett and his mess kept close after them, following their trail, and leaving the army one or two miles behind.
One day the scouts came across nine Indians.