A gun was fired from the forest, the signal was repeated farther on, and continued to the next war camp.

An estimate was given of the number and composition of an enemy by the number of guns fired.

The force learned, afterwards, that their departure from Prahsu had been signalled in this way to the Adansis; and only the darkness and pouring rain, which delayed the enemy's movements, had saved the column from attack.
When the march was continued, therefore, the greatest precautions were taken against an ambush.

A small party of twelve men marched ahead of the advance guard, and fired occasional volleys.

Where the undergrowth was unusually thick, scouts moved abreast of them, cutting a way with their sword bayonets.