nicating the general's
orders in time to enable the detachment to return without much loss.

"Now General Harrison ordered a sortie from the fort against the
enemy's works on the right, near the deep ravine. Three hundred and
fifty men were engaged in that, and behaved with the greatest bravery.
Lossing says, 'They charged with the fiercest impetuosity upon the
motley foe, 850 strong, drove them from their batteries at the point
of the bayonet, spiked their guns, and scattered them in confusion in
the woods beyond the ravine toward the site of the present village of
Perrysburg.' It was a desperate fight, and Miller lost several of his
brave men. At one time Sebree's company were surrounded by four times
their number of Indians, and their destruction seemed inevitable. But
Gwynne of the Nineteenth, seeing their peril, rushed to their rescue
with a part of Elliot's company, and they were saved. The victors
returned to the fort, having accomplished their object, and bringing
with them 43 prisoners. They were followed by the enemy, who had
rallied in considerable force. After that day's fighting, the siege of
Fort Meigs was virtually abandoned by Proctor. He was much
disheartened, and his Indian allies deserted him; the Canadian militia
did likewise."

"Was Tecumseh one of the deserters, papa?" asked Lucilla.

"No; but probably it was only his commission and pay as a brigadier in
the British Army that kept him from being one. He had hated General
Harrison intensely since the battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811, and was to
have had him at this time as his peculiar trophy. He had been promised
that, and the territory of Michigan had been promised his brother, the
Prophet, as a reward for his services in the capture of Fort Meigs.

"Beside all these discouraging things, news came to Proctor that Fort
George, on the Niagara frontier, was in the hands of the Americans and
that the little army of Fort Meigs was soon to be re-enforced from
Ohio. He saw nothing before him but the capture or dispersion of his
troops should he remain, therefore he resolved to flee. But, to
conceal that intention, and in order that he might move off with
safety, he again sent a demand for the surrender of the fort.

"Harrison regarded it as an intended insult, and requested that it
should not be repeated. Proctor attempted to take away with him his
unharmed cannon, but a few shots from Fort Meigs caused him to desist
and go without them. One of his gun