He had intended to wait in this position, hoping that Hull would march out to the attack.  But, even before his men had finished taking post, the whole problem was suddenly changed by the arrival of an Indian to say that McArthur’s four hundred picked men, whom Hull had sent south to bring in the convoy, were returning to Detroit at once.  There was now only a moment to decide whether to retreat across the river, form front against McArthur, or rush Detroit immediately.  But, within that fleeting moment, Brock divined the true solution and decided to march straight on.  With Tecumseh riding a grey mustang by his side, he led the way in person.  He wore his full-dress gold-and-scarlet uniform and rode his charger Alfred, the splendid grey which Governor Craig had given him the year before, with the recommendation that ’the whole continent of America could not furnish you with so safe and excellent a horse,’ and for the good reason that ’I wish to secure for my old favourite a kind and careful master.’

The seven hundred redcoats made a gallant show, all the more imposing because the militia were wearing some spare uniforms borrowed from the regulars and because the confident appearance of the whole body led the discouraged Americans to think that these few could only be the vanguard of much greater numbers.  So strong was this belief that Hull, in sudden panic, sent over to Sandwich to treat for terms, and was astounded to learn that Brock and Tecumseh were the two men on the big grey horses straight in front of him.  While Hull’s envoys were crossing the river and returning, the Indians were beginning to raise their war-whoops in the woods and Brock was reconnoitring within a mile of the fort.  This looked formidable enough, if properly defended, as the ditch was six feet deep and twelve feet wide, the parapet rose twenty feet, the palisades were of twenty-inch cedar, and thirty-three guns were pointed through the embrasures.  But Brock correctly estimated the human element inside, and was just on the point of advancing to the assault when Hull’s white flag went up.

The terms were soon agreed upon.  Hull’s whole army, including all detachments, surrendered as prisoners of war, while the territory of Michigan passed into the military possession of King George.  Abundance of food and military stores fell into British hands, together with the Adams, a fine new brig that had just been completed.  She was soon rechristened the Detroit.  The Americans sullenly trooped out.  The British elatedly marched in.  The Stars and Stripes came down defeated.  The Union Jack went up victorious and was received with a royal salute from all the British ordnance, afloat and ashore.  The Indians came out of the woods, yelling with delight and firing their muskets in the air.  But, grouped by tribes, they remained outside the fort and settlement, and not a single outrage was committed.  Tecumseh himself rode in with Brock; and the two great leaders stood out in front of the British line while the colours were being changed.  Then Brock, in view of all his soldiers, presented his sash and pistols to Tecumseh.  Tecumseh, in turn, gave his many-coloured Indian sash to Brock, who wore it till the day he died.