midday
`` Braddock meant well , but he did n't know how to fight Indians . '' Early in the morning the movement forward was resumed . There was a small stream to cross , and a long hill , and then they entered into the depths of a primeval forest , where the tops of the trees were a hundred feet and more overhead , and the great twisted roots lay sprawling in all directions , covered partly with moss and decayed leaves . The trail was still visible , but the branches of the trees on either side met overhead , cutting off the sunlight and making it uncomfortably dark excepting at midday . James Morris and Sam Barringford led the way , with the frontiersmen , Lukins , Sanderson , and Jadwin , bringing up on either side . Back of these came the pack-horses with their loads , looked after by Dave and Henry , and further to the rear were the Indians under White Buffalo . All told the party made quite an imposing appearance , and if put to it could have offered considerable opposition to any enemy that might have appeared .