These traits have been often illustrated in expeditions sent after deserters.

For instance, I despatched one of my best lieutenants and my best sergeant with a squad of men to search a certain plantation, where there were two separate negro villages.

They went by night, and the force was divided.

The lieutenant took one set of huts, the sergeant the other.

Before the lieutenant had reached his first house, every man in the village was in the woods, innocent and guilty alike.