The chief difficulty in the way of this undertaking would have been that of crossing the river, which was now swollen by recent rains.

He knew nothing about the matter, however, and as Fort Mims, the first point attacked by the savages, was on the south-east side of the river, he reasoned that having afterwards crossed to Clarke County the Indians would not again cross to the south-east side in any considerable force.
In this, as we know, he was mistaken, and the error led him into some danger, as we shall see.

Thinking the matter over, he decided that his first plan of a march down through the Tensaw Country to the neighborhood of Mobile would be the safest and best thing to undertake.
He was unwilling, however, to begin it with his companions without making a preliminary reconnoissance.

Accordingly he explained the plan to Tom and Joe, and said: "I'm going to-night down towards old Fort Mims, to see if the country is pretty free from Indians, and to find out what I can about the chance of getting away from here.

I'll leave you here with Judie, and you must be extra careful about exposing yourselves.