HARRISON. He caught me there, and mischief came of it.
Oh, he is deep. How different those brothers!
One dipt in craft, the dye of cruelty,
The other frank and open as the day.

Enter an ORDERLY.

ORDERLY. Tecumseh and his braves have reached the
landing!

[Excitement. All rise hastily.]

HARRISON. This room is smaller than our audience:
Take seats and benches to the portico -
There we shall treat with him.

[Exeunt all but GENERAL HARRISON.]

Could I but strain
My charge this chief might be our trusty friend.
Yet I am but my nation's servitor;
Gold is the king who overrides the right,
And turns our people from the simple ways,
And fair ideal of our fathers' lives.

[Exit.]

SCENE FOURTH. - THE SAME...

THE PORTICO OF GENERAL HARRISON'S HOUSE. AN OPEN GROVE AT A LITTLE DISTANCE IN
FRONT.

[Curtain rises and discovers GENERAL HARRISON,
_army officers and citizens, of various quality,
including TWANG, SLAUGH, GERKIN _and BLOAT,
_seated in the portico. A sergeant and guard of
soldiers near by.

Enter TECUMSEH _and his followers with LEFROY
in Indian dress. They all stop at the grove.]

HARRISON. Why halts he there? Go tell him he is welcome
to our house.

[An Orderly goes down with message.]

1ST OFFICER. How grave and decorous they look -
"the mien Of pensive people born in ancient woods."
But look at him! Look at Tecumseh there -
How simple in attire! that eagle, plume
Sole ornament, and emblem of his spirit.
And yet, far-scanned, there's something in his face
That likes us not. Would we were out of this!

HARRISON. Yes; even at a distance I can see
His eyes distilling anger. 'Tis no sign
Of treachery, which ever drapes with smiles
The most perfidious purpose. Our poor strength
Would fall at once should he break out on us;
But let us hope 'tis yet a war of wits
Where firmness may enact the part of force.

[Orderly returns.]

What answer do you bring?

ORDERLY. Tecumseh says: "Houses are built for whites -
the red man's house, Leaf-roofed, and walled with
living oak, is there -

[Pointing to the grove.]

Let our white brother meet us in it!"

2ND OFFICER. Oh! White brother! So he levels to your
height,
And strips your office of its dignity.

3RD OFFICER. 'Tis plain he cares not for your dignity,
And touchingly reminds us of our tenets.
Our nation spurns the outward shows of state,
And ceremony dies for lack of service.
Pomp is discrowned, and throned regality
Dissolved away in our new land and laws.
Man is the Presence here!

1ST OFFICER. Well, for my part, I like not that one in
particular.

[Pointing toward TECUMSEH.]

3RD OFFICER. No more do I! I wish I were a crab,
And had its courtly fashion of advancing.

HARRISON. Best yield to him, the rather that he now
Invites our confidence. His heavy force
Scants good opinion somewhat, yet I know
There's honor, aye, and kindness in this Chief.