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At a meeting

2. Tecumseh had all the pride of his race. between him and Harrison, a chair was placed for him by the

interpreter, who said, as he offered it, "Your father [meaning Harrison] requests you to take a chair." "The sun is my father," replied Tecumseh, proudly, "and the earth is my mother; on her bosom will I repose." And, wrapping his blanket around him, he sat down on the ground.

3. Wishing to unite the Red Men in one co:nmon cause, Tecumseh visited the Creeks, who lived in Alabama and Georgia. Many of them listened to him and promised their aid. But before the Creeks could take the field, and while Tecumseh was still absent, an army under General Harrison approached the Tippecanoe River. They intended destroying the prophet's town, unless a satisfactory treaty was signed.

treacherous plan?-2. Relate an anecdote illustrative of the pride of Tecumseh. -3. Whom did Tecumseh try to bring over to his plaus? How did he succeed?

4. Here Harrison was met by several Indian ambassadors, who said that their nation desired peace, and would sign a treaty on the next day. That very night the war-whoop was suddenly heard, and the army was attacked by savages on every side. Harrison, however, was prepared. He had directed his men to encamp in order of battle, and now he hurried from one point to another, urging them to stand their ground till daylight.

5. The Indians, hidden in the long prairie-grass, poured in a deadly fire with the rifle. They had chewed their bullets, so that they would tear the flesh, and every volley they fired caused the wounded to scream with pain. Very few of Harrison's men had been in battle before; still, throughout that terrible night, they kept their line unbroken. When day dawned, they charged the savages. The latter fought desperately. Their prophet had assured them that they would gain the battle, and they believed him. But prophets sometimes make mistakes, and so they found in this case.

6. A vigorous charge drove the Indians from their cover. They fled in all directions. The prophet's town was destroyed, and the army returned in triumph.-General Harrison was as merciful as he was brave. Shortly before the battle, a negro deserter, who had been hired by the Indians to murder the general, was seized while lying hidden near his tent. He was condemned to death, and secured, till the sentence could be carried out, by fastening his feet, like a wedge, between the sides of a log that had been partially split.

7. As he thus lay, he kept his eyes sadly fixed on the general. Harrison's feelings were moved. He could not bear to have the negro executed, and asked his officers to pardon him. They were unwilling to do so. They felt that the wicked man deserved to die. Yet when their general, who had the

How was this movement defeated? Where is the Tippecanoe River?-4. Who met Harrison at this point? What did the ambassadors say? What took place that very night ?-5. Give an account of the battle of Tippecanoe. What made the Indians fight with such desperate courage ?-6, 7. What was the issue of the battle? Tell the story illustrative of General Harrison's merciful

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greatest cause to condemn him, pleaded in his favor, they could not refuse, and the wretched negro was spared.

8. Hardly were these Indian troubles over when the difficulty with Great Britain became more serious than ever. She refused to give up any of her claims. She would search American vessels whenever she saw fit. This settled the question. Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and other great statesmen then in Congress, said that it would be wrong for America to submit any longer. Accordingly, war was declared against Great Britain. This is generally called the War of 1812, because it commenced in that year.

LESSON XLVII.

REVERSES ON LAND: TRIUMPHS ON THE OCEAN.

1. The United States do not keep a great army all the time ready, as European countries do. When, therefore, war was declared, there was much to prepare. Those who had charge of affairs knew but little of war; and hence some mistakes were made at first, and some reverses suffered. The first thing proposed was an invasion of Canada. To carry this out, a few regular soldiers and some volunteers from Ohio were placed under the command of General Hull, the governor of Michigan.

2. Hull led his men across into Canada from Detroit. But he marched so slowly that before he reached the first British fort the Canadian militia were in arms. Tecumseh and his warriors lost no time in joining the enemy and cutting off the supplies of the Americans. A British army was also on the march against them. So, in stead of attacking the fort, Hull turned round and marched back as fast as he could. The Brit

disposition.-8. What followed these Indian troubles ? What position was taken by Clay, Calhoun, and others? Accordingly, what was done? What is this war called, and why?

1. What disadvantage did the United States now labor under? What was the first thing proposed? Who was intrusted with the invasion of Canada ?2. Give an account of Hull's movements. What led him to march back with

ish followed, crossed the river, and appeared in full force before Detroit. (See map, p. 148.)

3. The Americans were well posted, and were all ready to receive the British with grape-shot as they approached. What was their indignation, when they saw a white flag displayed above the fort! Hull had become frightened, and raised the flag as a signal of surrender. His men wept as they saw it, but there was no remedy. Not only Detroit, with its garrison, but also the whole of Michigan, was given up to the enemy. Hull was afterwards tried. He was found guilty of cowardice and sentenced to be shot, but was pardoned by the President.

4. Shortly after this, a body of militia gathered on the frontier of New York. Their design was to cross the Niagara River, which separates New York from Canada, and attack the British at Queenstown. Some boats having been procured, the first division of the army crossed. They gallantly drove the enemy from their batteries and seized the heights. But a fresh British army was approaching, and it was necessary to bring over the rest of the men. To the dismay of their officers and their own disgrace, they refused to move. The sight of their wounded comrades, who had been brought back, had dampened their courage.

5. Thus abandoned by their companions, the Americans who had crossed, after holding out as long as they could, surrendered. Nothing more was attempted at that time on the frontier. Both invasions of Canada had failed. Some glorious victories on the ocean, however, made up for these reverses on land. Little was expected of our infant navy, when matched against Great Britain, the powerful mistress of the sea. But courage and will often make up for want of strength.

6. One of the greatest naval victories of the Americans was gained by Captain Isaac Hull, in the frigate Constitution. After out attacking the fort? What was then done by the British ?-3. What took place at Detroit? What did the British gain by this surrender? What afterwards became of Hull ?-4. What movement was made shortly after this in New York? What was done by the first division of the army? How was their success turned into defeat?-5. What made up for these reverses ?— 6. By whom was one of the greatest naval victories of the Americans gained?

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being chased by a British squadron four days, and escaping by his good management, Hull fell in with the Guerriere [gare-eair']. This vessel was one of the finest in the British navy. She had long been on the look-out for "Yankee craft", and expected to make short work of the Constitution. But Hull's broadsides soon made her lower her flag. She was so much injured that he could not take her into port, and the next day he blew her up.

7. Victories were also gained by the Essex, the President, and the Argus. The Wasp, Captain Jones, had a sharp conflict with the British brig Frolic. Having brought his vessel so close to the Frolic that in loading his rammers touched her side, Jones ordered his men to board. They found the deck a scene of carnage. Only three officers remained there, and one old sailor, coolly seated at the helm. Before Jones could secure his prize, a British seventy-four came along and captured both vessels.

8. The same brave Decatur who had distinguished himself in the Tripolitan war, now commanded the frigate United States. He succeeded in capturing the British vessel Macedonian. Late in the year, another great victory was won by the Constitution, now commanded by Commodore Bainbridge, over the British frigate Java. The Java had to be blown up, but her wheel was first taken out, to replace that of the Constitution, which was damaged in the action.

9. Long after the war, a British officer visited the Constitution. When asked his opinion of her, he replied that she was a fine vessel in every respect, except that her wheel was clumsy. "Yes," replied the captain, "it is clumsy. It is the old wheel of the Java, which we put in, and have kept ever since as a trophy of the victory."

Give an account of the action between the Constitution and the Guerriere.7. By what other vessels were victories gained? Give an account of the engagement between the Wasp and the Frolic. What prevented the Wasp from securing her prize?-8. What vessel did Decatur now command? What vessel did he capture? What other great victory was won? What was done with the Java? What was first taken out of her?-9. Relate an anecdote about this wheel of the Java.