Wayne?
Yes, fellow soldiers, your general sees your countenances beam with
the same fire that he witnessed on that glorious occasion; and
although it would be the height of presumption to compare himself with
that hero, he boasts of being that hero's pupil. To your posts then,
fellow citizens, and remember that the eyes of your country are upon
you.'

"That general order was given on the morning that the British made
their appearance, and when he saw that they were erecting batteries on
the opposite shore that would command his works, he directed his men
to make a traverse, or wall of earth, on the highest ground through
the middle of his camp. It had a base of twenty feet, was three
hundred yards long and twelve feet high. While they were at the work
it was concealed by the tents, which when it was finished were
suddenly removed to its rear.

"Then the British engineer perceived, to his great mortification, that
his labor had been almost in vain. Instead of an exposed camp from
which Proctor had boasted that he would soon smoke out the
Yankees,--meaning quickly destroy it with shot and shell,--he saw only
an immense shield of earth which hid the Americans and thoroughly
sheltered them.

"Proctor then changed his plans somewhat and sent a considerable force
of white men under Captain Muir, and Indians under Tecumseh, to the
eastern side of the river, under cover of the gunboats, to attack the
fort in the rear.

"The British batteries were silent through the night, but a gunboat,
towed up the river near the fort under cover of darkness, fired thirty
shots. The only effect, however, was an increase of the vigilance of
the Americans. The next morning, though it was raining heavily, the
British opened a severe cannonade and bombardment upon Fort Meigs,
which they continued with slight intermissions for about five days;
but without doing much injury to the fort or garrison.

"Occasionally our men returned the fire by eighteen-pounders. But
their supply of shot for these and the twelve-pounders was very small,
and as they did not know how long the siege might last, it was thought
best to use them very sparingly.

"The British seemed to have powder, balls, and shells in great
abundance, and they poured a perfect storm of missiles--not less than
five hundred--upon the fort the first day and until eleven o'clock at
night."

"And was nobody hurt, papa?" asked Elsie.

"One or two of the garrison were killed," replied h