back, he met another
party of Shawanoes, and although the whites were pressing on them, he
rallied the Indians, and induced them to make a stand in a thicket.
When the infantry pressed close upon them, and had discharged their
muskets into the bushes, Tecumseh and his party returned their fire,
and then retreated, until they had joined the main body of the Indians
below the rapids of the Miami.[A]

[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.]

In this memorable action, which gave victory to the American arms, and
humbled the north-western Indians, William Henry Harrison and Tecumseh
were for the first time opposed to each other in battle. They were both
young, and indeed nearly the same age, and both displayed that courage
and gallantry which ever afterwards signalized their brilliant and
eventful lives.

CHAPTER IV.

Tecumseh's skill as a hunter--declines attending the treaty of
Greenville in 1795--in 1796 removed to Great Miami--in 1798 joined a
party of Delawares on White river, Indiana--in 1799 attended a
council between the whites and Indians near Urbana--another at
Chillicothe in 1803--makes an able speech--removes with the Prophet
to Greenville, in 1805--the latter commences prophecying--causes the
death of Teteboxti, Patterson, Coltes, and Joshua--governor
Harrison's speech to the Prophet to arrest these murderers--effort of
Wells, the U.S. Indian agent, to prevent Tecumseh and the Prophet
from assembling the Indians at Greenville--Tecumseh's speech in
reply--he attends a council at Chillicothe--speech on that
occasion--council at Springfield--Tecumseh principal speaker and
actor.

In the spring of the year 1795, Tecumseh was established on Deer creek,
near where Urbana now stands, and engaged in his favorite amusement of
hunting. This was more as a pastime than a matter of business. The love
of property was not a distinguishing trait of his character; on the
contrary, his generosity was proverbial among his tribe. If he
accumulated furs, they, or the goods which he received in return for
them, were dispensed with a liberal hand. He loved hunting because it
was a manly exercise, fit for a _brave_; and, for the additional
reason, that it gave him the means of furnishing the aged and infirm
with wholesome and nourishing food. The skill of Tecumseh in the chase
has already been adverted to. While residing on Deer creek, an incident
occurred which greatly enhanced his reputation as a hunter