Scene.—Morning. The field of Tippecanoe after the battle. The ground strewn with dead soldiers and warriors.
Enter Harrison, officers and soldiers, and Barron.
Harrison. A costly triumph reckon'd by our slain!
Look how some lie still clench'd with savages
In all-embracing death, their bloody hands
Glued in each other's hair! Make burial straight
Of all alike in deep and common graves:
Their quarrel now is ended.
1st Officer.I have heard
The red man fears our steel—'twas not so here;
From the first shots, which drove our pickets in,
Till daylight dawn'd, they rush'd upon our lines,
And flung themselves upon our bayonet points
In frenzied recklessness of bravery.
Barron. They trusted in the Prophet's rites and spells,
Which promis'd them immunity from death.
All night he sat on yon safe eminence,
Howling his songs of war and mystery,
Then fled, at dawn, in fear of his own braves.
Enter an Aide.
Harrison. What tidings bring you from the Prophet's Town?
Aide. The wretched women with their children fly
To distant forests for concealment. In
Their village is no living thing save mice
Which scamper'd as we oped each cabin door.
Their pots still simmer'd on the vacant hearths,
Standing in dusty silence and desertion.
Naught else we saw, save that their granaries
Were cramm'd with needful corn.
Harrison.Go bring it all—
Then burn their village down! [Exit Aide.
2nd Officer.This victory
Will shake Tecumseh's project to the base.
Were I the Prophet I should drown myself
Rather than meet him.
Barron. We have news of him—
Our scouts report him near in heavy force.