iance in the very heart of the Miami country, and
proceeded down the Maumee River toward the British fort.

Within seven miles of the British fort he built Fort Deposit. He had
two thousand Legionaries, and eleven hundred mounted Kentucky riflemen;
Little Turtle's army was being driven back upon the British fort, and
must fight or quit.

So far, the "Big Wind" had proved himself the master.

By this time Little Turtle had lost his brother-in-law, "Black Snake"
or William Wells, whose blood was the white blood, and who could no
longer fire upon his race.

When he had heard that another American army was on its way, he had led
Little Turtle apart.

"I now leave your nation for my own people," he had said. "We have
been friends. We are friends yet until the sun is an hour higher.
From that time we are enemies. Then if you wish to kill me, you may.
If I want to kill you, I may."

William Wells plunged into the forest, and found General Wayne. He
became a valuable scout with the United States column.

From Fort Deposit General Wayne sent word to the Miamis that they must
make peace at once, or be attacked. Little Turtle called a council.
Some of his men were dubious.

"It is no use fighting that man. His eye is never shut," they
complained.

Little Turtle himself was dubious. The council debated upon whether to
try another "Saint Clair" surprise, or to choose their ground, and wait.

Blue-jacket the Shawnee was for fighting.

"Listen," spoke Little Turtle. "We have beaten the enemy twice, under
separate generals. We cannot expect the same good fortune always. The
Americans are led now by a chief who never sleeps. The night and the
day are alike to him. During all the time that he has been marching
upon us we have watched him close but we have never been able to
surprise him. Think well of it. Something whispers to me that we
could do well to treat with him."

Somebody accused Little Turtle of being afraid, at last. That was
enough. He objected no more, and the council decided to form battle
array and wait, at Presq' Isle, near the British fort. Blue-jacket
took charge.

It was good ground for defense. Another "Big Wind" had passed through
the timber, and laid the trees crisscross in great confusion. Amidst
this maze Little Turtle, Blue-jacket, Simon Girty, and the other
leaders stretched three lines of warriors and half-breeds, in a front
two miles long. Their left rested at the river, t