1ST OFFICER. What man is that? 'Tis not an Indian.

HARRISON. Madman, you rave! - you know not what you say.

TECUMSEH. Master of guile, this axe should speak for
him!

[Drawing his hatchet as if to hurl it at
HARRISON.]

2ND OFFICER. This man means mischief! Quick! Bring up
the guard!

[GENERAL HARRISON _and officers draw their swords.
The warriors spring to their feet and cluster about_
TECUMSEH, their eyes fixed intently upon
HARRISON, who stands unmoved._ TWANG and his
friends disappear. The soldiers rush forward and take
aim, but are ordered not to fire_.]

END OF SECOND ACT.

ACT III

SCENE FIRST. - VINCENNES. - ...

A COUNCIL CHAMBER IN GENERAL HARRISON'S HOUSE.

Enter HARRISON and five COUNCILLORS.

HARRISON. Here are despatches from the President,
As well as letters from my trusted friends,
Whose tenor made me summon you to Council.

[Placing papers on table.]

1ST COUNCILLOR. Why break good news so gently? Is it
true
War is declared 'gainst England?

HARRISON. Would it were! That war is still deferred.
Our news is draff, And void of spirit, since New
England turns
A fresh cheek to the slap of Britain's palm.
Great God! I am amazed at such supineness.
Our trade prohibited, our men impressed,
Our flag insulted - still her people bend,
Amidst the ticking of their wooden clocks,
Bemused o'er small inventions. Out upon't!
Such tame submission yokes not with my spirit,
And sends my southern blood into my cheeks,
As proxy for New England's sense of shame.

2ND COUNCILLOR. We all see, save New England, what to
do;
But she has eyes for her one interest -
A war might sink it. So the way to war
Puzzles imagining.

HARRISON. There is a way
Which lies athwart the President's command.
The reinforcements asked for from Monroe
Are here at last, but with this strict injunction,
They must not be employed save in defence,
Or in a forced attack.

[Taking up a letter.]

Now, here is news, Fresh from the South, of bold
Tecumseh's work,
The Creeks and Seminoles have conjoined,
Which means a general union of the tribes,
And ravage of our Southern settlements.
Tecumseh's master hand is seen in this,
And these fresh tidings tally with his threats
Before he left Vincennes.

3RD COUNCILLOR. You had a close
Encounter with him here.

HARRISON. Not over close, Nor dangerous - I saw he would
not strike.
His thoughts outran his threats, and looked beyond
To wider fields and trials of our strength.

4TH COUNCILLOR. Our tree is now too bulky for his axe.

HARRISON. Don't underrate his power! But for our States
This man would found an empire to surpass
Old Mexico's renown, or rich Peru.
Allied with England, he is to be feared
More than all other men.