Sunoma seized upon the authority the two white men granted him and demonstrated the characteristics of a leader of men, but one with a sense of humor. He insisted that the men wear moccasins and light clothing, and criticized them severely when they made excessive noise, became confused about directions, or failed to detect things of interest as they passed or approached. One of his favorite exercises was to permit them to choose a location in the wilderness and then to approach them within easy arrow range before they knew he was in the vicinity. Then he would sit in a location known by the two white men and see how early he could detect the approach of either one of them. When they failed by moving a bush, snapping a twig, or disturbing a bird, he would howl with laughter and tell them they could move more stealthily if mounted on an ox or an alligator. In fact, Sunoma was inclined to be arrogant and domineering, and the sergeant had to remind him on occasion that he was being amply rewarded for working for the British, and that their failures were proof of his inadequacy as an instructor. Slowly, the lessons with Sunoma had some impact, and both men learned to shift their identities from European soldiers in an alien environment to native woodsmen with increasing abilities.

Brown began to monitor the activities of the existing trading forays into western Florida and southern Georgia, and observed that these were often relatively fruitless. When he quietly suggested to his superior that his small group might increase the acquisition of food and other supplies, he was quickly given permission. This was to be the beginning of a series of remarkable experiences.

Major Furlong had never known any other officer whose zeal exceeded that of his assistant. During the first few months, Brown mastered the relatively voluminous documents that related to the history, geography, and people of the southern region of America, accumulated maps of the south Atlantic Coast and data about military installations, and studied the parliamentary laws and directives from London, many of them signed by Lord North. He succinctly outlined the pertinent interrelationships of all this material and quietly laid his report on the desk of the major, who shared much of it, to his own great advantage, with his superiors.