SCENE SECOND. - TECUMSEH'S CABIN IN THE PROPHET'S TOWN.

[Enter IENA and MAMATEE,
agitated.]

IENA. My heart is sad, and I am faint with fear.
My friend, my more than mother, go again -
Plead with the Prophet for a single day!
Perchance within his gloomy heart will stir
Some sudden pulse of pity for a girl.

MAMATEE. Alas, my Iena, it is in vain!
He swore by Manitou this very morn,
That thou should'st wed the chief, Tarhay, to-night.

IENA. Nay try once more, Oh Mamatee, once more!
I had a dream, and heard the gusty breeze
Hurtle from out a sea of hissing pines,
Then dwindle into voices, faint and sweet,
Which cried - we come! It was my love and yours!
They spoke to me - I know that they are near,
And waft their love to us upon the wind.

MAMATEE. Some dreams are merely fancies in our sleep:
I'll make another trial, but I feel
Your only safety is in instant flight.

IENA. Flight! Where and how - beset by enemies?
My fear sits like the partridge in the tree,
And cannot fly whilst these dogs bark at me.

SCENE THIRD. - AN ELEVATED PLATEAU, DOTTED WITH HEAVY OAKS,..

WEST OF THE PROPHET'S TOWN.

Enter three of HARRISON'S staff Officers.

1ST OFFICER. Well, here's the end of all our northward
marching!

2ND OFFICER. A peaceful end, if we can trust those
chiefs
Who parleyed with us lately.

3RD OFFICER. Yes, for if
They mean to fight, why point us to a spot
At once so strong and pleasant for our camp?

1ST OFFICER. Report it so unto our General!

[Exit 3RD OFFICER.]

'Tis worth our long march through the forest wild
To view these silent plains! The Prophet's Town,
Sequestered yonder like a hermitage,
Disturbs not either's vast of solitude,
But rather gives, like graveyard visitors,
To deepest loneliness a deeper awe.

[Re enter 3RD OFFICER.]

3RD OFFICER. I need not go, for Harrison is here.

[Enter_ GENERAL HARRISON, his force
following_.]

1ST OFFICER. Methinks you like the place; some thanks
we owe
Unto the Prophet's chiefs for good advice.

HARRISON. (Looking around keenly).
These noble oaks, the streamlet to our rear,
This rank wild grass - wood, water and soft beds!
The soldier's luxuries are here together.

1ST OFFICER. Note, too, the place o'erlooks the springy
plain
Which lies betwixt us and the Prophet's Town.
I think, sir, 'tis a very fitting place.

HARRISON. A fitting place if white men were our foes;
But to the red it gives a clear advantage.
Sleep like the weasel here, if you are wise!

1ST OFFICER. Why, sir, their chiefs, so menacing at
first,
Became quite friendly at the last. They fear
A battle, and will treat on any terms.
The Prophet's tide of strength will ebb away,
And leave his stranded bark upon the mire.

HARRISON. 'Tis the mixed craft of old dissembling
Nature!
If I could look upon her smallest web,
And see in it but crossed and harmless hairs,
Then might I trust the Prophet's knotted seine.
I did not like the manner of those chiefs
Who spoke so fairly. What but highest greatness
Plucks hatred from its seat, and in its stead
Plants friendship in an instant? This our camp
Is badly placed; each coulee and ravine
Is dangerous cover for approach by night;
And all the circuit of the spongy plain
A treacherous bog to mire our cavalry.
They who directed us so warmly here
Had other than our comfort in their eye.