Distant Drums

Lieutenant Richard tubbs United States Navy.

Do make this account of my perilous journey in the territory of Florida.

In the year eighteen forty.

I know nothing of Florida.

State for this crude map which told me little of the rescue mission on which I was

embarked.

But I didn't know

that here was the scene of the most bitter war in our history the war against a

savage and bloodthirsty foe the seminal end and.

For seven years now.

The red man had to eight of the total strength of our forces.

And had all but frustrated the strategy of our greatest general

Zachary Taylor.

I have been ordered to service and his command once I was now sailing.

Ship beat down the uncharted Atlantic coast of the peninsula.

Were hitting bay.

And dropped me off in a small boat which was

play a major role

in the explanation before.

But then a tough

breakup Norfolk got a report that captain quincey wide without delay

got the last budget was Jackie.

My peculiar mission had begun.

As planned my boat was being hurriedly dragged from the beach boys'

journey overland.

With the great inland lake.

Okeechobee.

Where I hoped but

hardly expected again to see it.

With my.

Guide.

I set off for the interior

the meeting with a man man I knew they don't late

as captain Quincy Wyatt.

Road due west for several hours through all but impenetrable country.

Which somehow seemed to offer no obstacle my side of the companion.

Sailor.

Main captain why it's here

but Jackie's a piece yet.

What is a chickie.

Been to Florida before gabba nope.

Figured

my fancy sword you've got.

Tiki.

Hut built on a piece of dry land called a hammock.

House.

You mean the captain labor's here why does he stay at the Garrison

that's Florida for you.

Don't do that cabinet creek and

the geo ways when the quinces boys.

Hello Johnny.

Shaken hands with an and ending it's like pumping a.

Engine smell a little gaming capital.

I'm just gonna go out on the sales to keep all the bugs in play.

Slowly we paddle down a strange and wondrous stream.

Winding it's way through bright

green country.

So this was the land for which we fought so fiercely.

Jungle.

Weird.

Get a job on some of those porn lieutenant they got a piece to go yet.

Thanks.

Speaking of endings like he was don't let nobody tell you them seminoles can't shoot.

Censor got to get yourselves guns and learn to shoot pretty good.

What does the capital the way out airport.

Laughter what happened points you don't like and muck around.

Truck and nobody much but it's one man.

No you're a hankering to ask me what did happen but it ain't for me to tell you.

I wouldn't be asking the question either by you.

Despite myself my curiosity was aroused what sort of officer was there that he

shunned the army which he served.

The hot sun above me the question from my brain.

Men were the stream widened into a lagoon.

Nestling between sky and water.

Shimmering like a Jewel on the face of the jungle.

And on it.

Captain Wyatt

chicky.

Water told you.

O j Donna.

Once again.

Younger.

Guy.

Most a lot it's far

first time I ever seen one

or want to use.

Nice looking boy.

Belong to one of those creaking and then.

It'd be capitalized.

Sorry.

Sorry for.

Nothing I just uh.

Where's the squawk I'll be looking forward to meeting.

Haven't watched wife or no squad lieutenant.

Hubert a great Frances daughter of the great cheap and pretty as a picture and you

won't be meeting.

First time I saw the man with whom I was to share the most remarkable adventure of my

life the

Quincy Wyatt.

Soldier.

Swamp.

Gentleman the

savage.

Way an attempt to eagle.

Ones that never go

fishing or hunting without he brings.

O'Connell

oh god.

Quincy one.

Are meant to see it.

Kind of record top she wears Navy reporting sir

David tennant

and a fellow Atlanta.

No sir as far as I know we were unobserved.

How long do you reckon it'll take to move your boat overland to the lake.

Before I answer that sir

may I say that you have my sympathy

how's that

for my gripe is only big enough to hold forty men

well that's all right cause that's all I meant I got left I'm a company

like forty men to go clear across Florida and retake a fortress.

While that's suicide.

Or maybe a right but somebody has.

Well if the supply of guns to the seminal

and as long as that forts there the Indians are just going to keep on getting them

what an attack and small force must fail.

For the infanta was built by general enrico Garcia the greatest of Spain's military

architects.

Why it's impossible to take it by less than a brigade.

Well that's mighty serious what you're saying did you tell at the general Taylor.

Know.

The admiral did the general was quite rude to him.

You know the admiral thinks the general was something of a drinking man

well if he is

he sure had more than his share when he dreamed up this harebrained scheme.

I'm sorry I think it's such a

range game lieutenant because I'm a fellow that thought it up.

And about those forty men of mine.

In the swamp they're equal to a brigade.

Now if you'll excuse me I'll change my clothes and we'll start off the headquarters.

Hmm

not sure but my vote in a.

Lot worse thing isn't that

what you put in around here.

Beyond that cross that lagoon.

At the beginning of the everglades.

Or the and depending on which way a man walking.

You know what's in there.

Swamps the deep things

I a whole arm and you'll never see them again.

It is a lot worse things in that chicken but you put in around here.

Thought of yours or maybe it was my boy

kid you would like to have it.

Or I can understand that

I have a boy of my own just about his age back in Boston.

You know where to give his heart for.

That tomahawk you had stuck in you about.

That

boy of yours is mother alive.

Yes.

Let the lad.

Very lucky.

I.

Watched it.

She loves that little rascal.

Anything ever happened to him he'd just wander

off in a swamp you'd never see and no more.

Which enjoy.

Swiftly now we proceeded to headquarters.

I waited with anticipation

for my first glimpse of the officer who was now seeking to put an end to the war once

and for all all.

General Zachary Taylor.

Couldn't say

that.

You can still back out if you want to i'm.

Not going to stop me now but the seminoles.

If they don't you're going to make me a very important general.

Well now that's something I've got a mind to do.

Low down the fort quinsey and I'll make my move.

We might see peace in this territory yet.

What.

I said.

Pair.

Are all ready for inspection captain

got the replacements.

The army sir

will have to be.

Well pastry they look pretty good on you I hope I wear them as well as corporal

moderated so that

you wouldn't have them if you could

like.

That to see you back in the lions have it almost didn't make it captain but I'm a

tough man to separate from a scout.

What's your name.

James w Tetris or

ever fighting the Indians before

yes or in the black hawk country.

Well no that asking how you made it out your ear.

And what name do you answer to