Although loyalties and friendship did exist between some, there were always those allied to other interests – waiting to do harm. No one was exempt from sudden harassment or deadly force, and groups took advantage of hit and run tactics – striking with surprise. An ambush of the unsuspecting often resulted in quick plunder, hostages taken and a bloody aftermath. If enough men could be gathered before their trail cooled, the raiders would be tracked. Some of these pursuits terminated in another ambush, while occasionally the tracking became too difficult and the trail was lost. - JB