ecumseh's stratagem had failed, and as he and Proctor were ignorant
of the strength of the garrison, they thought it best not to try an
assault. They lingered in the neighborhood for some thirty hours, then
withdrew to the old encampment near Fort Miami; and soon afterward the
British embarked with their stores, and sailed for Sandusky Bay with
the intention of attacking Fort Stephenson.

"The Indians were to assist in the attack, and a large number marched
across the country for that purpose.

"Clay quickly despatched a messenger to Harrison with all this
information. But I have already told you of the attack upon Fort
Stephenson, and of its brave defence.

"Yes, papa; and it was very interesting," said Elsie. "Have we far to
go now to get to Fort Meigs? and is it just as it was when Harrison
and his men were there?"

"We may hope to get there soon," replied the captain; "as it is only
eight miles above Toledo, and we are nearing that place now. But we
shall find only ruins."

"Oh, papa, what a pity!" exclaimed Ned.

"Not a very great pity, I think," said his father. "It is not needed
now, and I hope will not be ever again."

"I hope that famous elm tree is there yet," remarked Grandma Elsie.

"I do not know," replied the captain. "But probably it is."

"Oh, what about it, papa?" asked Elsie; and her father answered, "At
the beginning of the siege all the water the garrison needed had to be
taken from the river. The elm tree was on the opposite side of the
river, and the Indians used to climb up and hide themselves in its
thick foliage and from there fire across at the water carriers. In
that way they killed several of our men. Then the Kentucky riflemen
fired at them; and it is said that not less than 6 of them were struck
and fell to the ground out of that tree."

"Why didn't our men dig a well?" asked Ned.

"It seems they did afterward, for the place is spoken of as having had
a well at the time of the political campaign of 1840, when Harrison
was elected President of the United States."

They were now entering the Maumee Bay, and the talk ceased, as all
wished to gaze about upon the new scenes as they passed through the
bay and up the river. They visited the ruins of Fort Meigs, then took
carriages and drove three miles up to Presqu' Isle Hill, alighted
there, and wandered over the battlefield of the Fallen Timber.

By tea-time they were again on board the _Dolphin_, which lay at
anchor through the