order reached him.

"But the general considered it disobedience, which could not be
permitted. He at once sent Colonel Wells to Fort Stephenson to
supersede Croghan, and ordered Croghan to headquarters at Seneca Town.
Colonel Wells was escorted by Colonel Ball with his corps of dragoons.
On the way they were attacked by about twenty Indians, and quite a
severe skirmish ensued. Seventeen of the Indians were killed."

"Papa, did Major Croghan go to the general? and was he very cross to
him?" asked Ned.

"He went promptly, made a full and satisfactory explanation to General
Harrison, and was directed to go back to his command the next morning;
which he did, feeling more than ever determined to maintain his post
in spite of British and Indians. General Harrison kept scouts out in
all directions to watch the movements of the enemy. On the evening of
Saturday, the 31st of July, one of those parties, lingering on the
shore of Sandusky Bay, about twenty miles from Fort Stephenson, saw
that Proctor was approaching by water. They made haste to return to
headquarters with their information, stopping on the way at Fort
Stephenson and making it known there.

"Croghan was watchful, wide awake to the dangers that surrounded them.
A good many Indians had been seen upon the high ground on the eastern
side of the Sandusky River, but had scampered away on being fired at
from the six-pounder in the fort.

"At four o'clock in the afternoon the British gunboats, bringing
Proctor and his men, were seen at a turn in the river more than a mile
distant. They were greeted by shots from the six-pounder, but they
came on; and at a cove somewhat nearer the fort, opposite a small
island in the stream, they landed with a five-and-a-half-inch
howitzer.

"At the same time the Indians showed themselves in the woods on all
sides. In this attacking force there were four hundred British and
several hundred Indians. And Tecumseh was stationed upon the roads
leading from Fort Meigs and Seneca Town with almost two thousand more.
These were intended to intercept any re-enforcements that might be
coming to Croghan's assistance. Having thus, as he thought, cut off
Croghan's retreat, Proctor sent Colonel Elliott and Captain Chambers
to demand the instant surrender of the fort. With them was Captain
Dixon of the Royal Engineers, who was in command of the Indians.

"They came with a flag of truce, and Croghan sent out
Second-Lieutenant Shipp, as his repres