he would show them how to do it.  A fowling-piece was handed to him, with which he fought for some time, until the Indians were again compelled to give ground.  While falling back, he met another party of Shawanoes, and although the whites were pressing on them, he rallied the Indians, and induced them to make a stand in a thicket.  When the infantry pressed close upon them, and had discharged their muskets into the bushes, Tecumseh and his party returned their fire, and then retreated, until they had joined the main body of the Indians below the rapids of the Miami.[A]

[Footnote A:  Anthony Shane.]

In this memorable action, which gave victory to the American arms, and humbled the north-western Indians, William Henry Harrison and Tecumseh were for the first time opposed to each other in battle.  They were both young, and indeed nearly the same age, and both displayed that courage and gallantry which ever afterwards signalized their brilliant and eventful lives.

CHAPTER IV.

Tecumseh’s skill as a hunter—­declines attending the treaty of Greenville in 1795—­in 1796 removed to Great Miami—­in 1798 joined a party of Delawares on White river, Indiana—­in 1799 attended a council between the whites and Indians near Urbana—­another at Chillicothe in 1803—­makes an able speech—­removes with the Prophet to Greenville, in 1805—­the latter commences prophecying—­causes the death of Teteboxti, Patterson, Coltes, and Joshua—­governor Harrison’s speech to the Prophet to arrest these murderers—­effort of Wells, the U.S.  Indian agent, to prevent Tecumseh and the Prophet from assembling the Indians at Greenville—­Tecumseh’s speech in reply—­he attends a council at Chillicothe—­speech on that occasion—­council at Springfield—­Tecumseh principal speaker and actor.

In the spring of the year 1795, Tecumseh was established on Deer creek, near where Urbana now stands, and engaged in his favorite amusement of hunting.  This was more as a pastime than a matter of business.  The love of property was not a distinguishing trait of his character; on the contrary, his generosity was proverbial among his tribe.  If he accumulated furs, they, or the goods which he received in return for them, were dispensed with a liberal hand.  He loved hunting because it was a manly exercise, fit for a brave; and, for the additional reason, that it gave him the means of furnishing the aged and infirm with wholesome and nourishing food.  The skill of Tecumseh in the chase has already been adverted to.  While residing on Deer creek, an incident occurred which greatly enhanced his reputation as a hunter.  One of his brothers, and several other Shawanoes of his own age, proposed to bet with him, that they could each kill as many deer, in the space of three days, as he could.  Tecumseh promptly accepted the overture.  The parties took to the woods, and at the end of the stipulated time, returned with the evidences of their success.  None of the party, except Tecumseh, had more than twelve deer skins; he brought in upwards of thirty—­near three times as many as any of his competitors.  From this time he was generally conceded to be the greatest hunter in the Shawanoe nation.