This language had its effect. The visitor was set free after a few hours, and took back a message to General Wayne to the effect that if he would stay where he was for ten days, and would then send the same messenger to them, they would treat with him, but if he made any advance with his army, he would be attacked. It should be said in this place that the only wise one among the Indian chiefs was Little Turtle. He opposed a battle with the American army. He reminded his associates that they had made many attempts to surprise the commander, but had not done so in a single instance; there were more "Long Knives" than had ever before entered their country, and they were led by their best general. In such circumstances, defeat at their hands was more than likely. One of the chiefs replied to these wise words by taunting the Turtle with cowardice. The leader was enraged enough to brain the sachem, but he mastered his anger, and said nothing; it was decided that the battle should be given on the morrow and he was ready. On his way to camp, the messenger met General Wayne and his army. That officer was so certain of the answer to his message that he decided not to wait any longer. He reached the Miami Rapids on August 18th, near the enemy's camp, and threw up fortifications. He was on the march again by the 20th, using all care against surprise. A few hours later, his advance scouts were fired upon, and Wayne formed his line of battle and advanced in three columns. Little Turtle had posted his men with his usual skill, a rocky bank of the river being on the left, and had cut down a large number of trees in his front, so as to make the cavalry useless. The warriors were formed in three lines, within supporting distance of one another, with a front fully a mile and a half long. It is not necessary to describe this historical battle, which was conducted with such skill by Wayne that in a brief time the whole force of hostiles were routed in headlong flight. They were shot down and pursued until they took refuge under the guns of Fort Maumee, a British post. When the commandant of this warned Wayne to cease slaying the warriors, the American replied that he would do as he saw fit, and, if the British officer was not pleased therewith, he might bring his garrison outside and he would serve _them_ in the same way as the Indians.