General Wayne began his campaign with the resolution to do the work thoroughly. He was eager to meet the hostiles, but was too wise to do so until every preparation was made. After entering the Indian country he did not neglect the slightest precaution. In the autumn of 1793, he built Fort Recovery on the site of St. Clair's defeat, followed by the erection of Fort Defiance, at the junction of the Miami and the Au Glaize. The next summer he began his march with two thousand regulars and eleven hundred mounted Kentucky militia. He entered the hostile section by a new and roundabout route, hoping to deceive Little Turtle as to his real line of march, but that wily chief was not misled. Despite his fighting mood, Wayne did not give up hope of securing peace without a battle with the Indians. He thought that when they knew of the strong force marching against them, they would see the folly of resisting it. Learning that the redskins were in camp near the rapids of the Miami, he decided to send a messenger to them with peace proposals. Now, while the office of a messenger to a civilized army brings no personal danger, it is otherwise when he visits an Indian force. Those people have no respect for a flag of truce, and have an unpleasant habit of killing visitors whom they do not like, when they present themselves with the white emblem fluttering over their heads. Among Wayne's troops was a man who had lived for several years with the Indians, who could speak their language, and knew all about them. When Wayne asked him to take his message to Little Turtle, he shook his head. He said the Indians were set upon war, that no argument or proposals could change that determination, and the chances were a hundred to one that they would kill him as soon as he appeared before them. Wayne told him he might have any escort he chose, and that he would hold eight prisoners then in his hands, as hostages. He was to warn the chiefs that if they did any harm to the messenger, or if he did not return to Wayne at the end of three days, every one of the eight captives would be put to death at once. [Illustration: THE UNSUSPECTING WHEELWRIGHT] The soldier finally consented to go, taking one man and a squaw with him as his companions, instead of an armed escort, which he knew would be very dangerous to him. He started one afternoon and reached the Indian camp the next morning, without his approach being observed, until he was among the hostiles. The moment he displayed his flag, and said he was a messenger, he was met on all sides with shouts, "Kill him! Kill the spy!" He explained matters in their own language, and instead of slaying him, the redskins told him he was their prisoner. He then gave the rest of his message, telling about the letter of General Wayne, and warning them that if he was held longer than the next day, all the eight Indians in camp would be put to death at sunset.