An American detachment was surprised and captured. The Indians commenced to kill and torture. General Proctor looked on. Tecumseh heard and rushed to the scene. He had given his word to General Harrison, two years ago, and he was furious at the insult to his honor.
Defending the prisoners with knife and tomahawk, he sprang for the British general.
"Who dares permit such acts!"
"Sir, your Indians cannot be controlled."
"Begone!" roared Tecumseh. "You are unfit to command; go and put on petticoats."
After that he openly despised General Proctor.
He sent a note in to his American foeman:
"General Harrison: I have with me eight hundred braves. You have an equal number in your hiding place. Come out with them and give me battle. You talked like a brave when we met at Vincennes, and I respected you; but now you hide behind logs and in the earth, like a ground-hog. Give me answer. Tecumseh."
But General Harrison knew his business, and carried on to the successful end.
That end was not far distant. General Tecumseh and General Proctor together failed to take Fort Meigs. General Proctor ordered a retreat. General Harrison followed on the trail. General Tecumseh hated to retreat. At every step he was abandoning Indian country.