STAYETA. Lead on! We follow you!

KICKAPOO CHIEF. Advance ye braves!

TECUMSEH. Stay! make a circuit in the open woods -
Cross, and recross, and double on the path -
So shall the Long-Knives overcount our strength.
Do this, Stayeta, whilst I meet my friend -
My brave white brother, and confer with him.

Enter GENERAL BROCK, PROCTOR, NICHOL, MACDONELL
and other Officers and Forces, on the highway.
TECUMSEH goes down to meet them.

BROCK. Now by God's providence we face Detroit,
Either to sleep within its walls to-night,
Or in deep beds dug by exulting foes.
Go, Nichol, make a swift reconnaissance -
We'll follow on.

NICHOL. I shall, but, ere I go I do entreat you,
General, take the rear;
Those guns are shrewdly placed without the gate -
One raking fire might rob us of your life,
And, this lost, all is lost.

BROCK. Well meant, my friend!
But I am here to lead, not follow, men
Whose confidence has come with me thus far!
Go, Nichol, to your task!

[Exit NICHOL. TECUMSEH advances.]

Tecumseh, hail! Brave chieftain, you have made your
promise good.

TECUMSEH. My brother stands to his! and I but wait
His orders to advance - my warriors
Are ripe for the assault.

BROCK. Deploy them, then,
Upon our landward flank, and skirt the woods,
Whilst we advance in column to attack.

[TECUMSEH rejoins his warriors.]

Signal our batteries on the farther shore
To play upon the Fort! Be steady friends -
Be steady! Now upon your country turn
Your multiplying thoughts, and strike for her!
Strike for your distant and inviolate homes,
Perfumed with holy prayer at this hour!
Strike! with your fathers' virtue in your veins
You must prevail - on, on, to the attack!

[BROCK _and forces advance towards the Port. A heavy
cannonading from the British batteries.]

Re-enter NICHOL _hastily.

NICHOL Stay, General! I saw a flag of truce
Cross from the Fort to the Canadian shore.

BROCK. Halt! There's another from yon bastion flung;
And, see! another waves adown the road -
Borne by an officer - what think you, Nichol?

NICHOL Your threats are conquerors! The Fort is ours!

GLEGG. Yes, look! the gunners have been all withdrawn
Who manned the cannon at yon western gate.

PROCTOR. So many men to yield without a blow!
Why, this is wonderful! It cannot be!

BROCK. Say, rather, should not be, and yet it is!
'Tis plainly written in this captain's face.

Officer with flag of truce approaches.

OFFICER. This letter from our General contains
Proposals to capitulate - pray send
An officer to ratify the terms.

[GENERAL BROCK reads letter.]

BROCK. You have a wise and politic commander!

OFFICER. Our General knowing your superior force -

NICHOL. (Aside.) O this is good! 'tis barely
half his own!

OFFICER. And, noting your demand of yesterday
With clearer judgment, doth accede to it,
To bar effusion of much precious blood
By reasonable treaty of surrender.

BROCK. Why, this is excellent, and rare discretion!