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of getting over but on a raft, and for the construction of this they had only a small hatchet; so that the work occupied the whole day. When it was launched, and they had ventured themselves upon it, they found other perils still.

"Before we were half over," says Washington in his journal, "we were jammed in the ice in such a manner that we expected every moment our raft to sink and ourselves to perish. I put out my setting pole to try and stop the raft that the ice might pass by, when the rapidity of the stream threw it with such force against the pole, that it jerked me out into ten feet water; but I fortunately saved myself by catching hold of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding all our efforts, we could not get to either shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft and make for it."

This providential escape did not, however, end their sufferings. They were thrown, wet and cold, upon a bleak island; the weather was intensely severe. Mr. Gist's hands and feet were frozen; but yet, in this comfortless condition, they were obliged to pass the night. In the morning the ice was completely frozen across, and they found no difficulty in making their escape on the bridge which nature had thus made. They arrived at Williamsburgh, the seat of government, on the sixteenth of January, after an absence of eleven weeks.

The manner in which Major Washington had executed his trust was a subject of universal commendation. Governor Dinwiddie, satisfied

from the reply of the French commander, that nothing was to be expected but war, endeavoured to arouse the inhabitants of the DOMINION, as Virginia was then called, to action; and in pursuance of this plan caused the journal of Washington to be published. It was copied into most of the newspapers in the colonies; was reprinted in London under the auspices of the government; and was accounted a document of much importance. Washington himself was treated with scarcely less consideration. Happening to enter the gallery of the house of Burgesses, (Legislature,) one of the members arose, and moved that "the thanks of the house be given to Major Washington, who now sits in the gallery, for the gallant manner in which he executed the important trust lately reposed in him by his excellency, Governor Dinwiddie."

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Every member of the house," says Mr. Paulding, "now rose and saluted Washington with a general bow, and the sentiment of the mover was echoed by more than one member expressing his sense of his merit and services. Washington, in vain, attempted to make his acknowledgments for this high honour. His voice failed him, and the frame that never before or after trembled in the presence of an enemy, now faltered under the compliments of assembled friends. It was then that the speaker, noticing his unconquerable embarrassment, made him this just and memorable compliment : 'Sit down, Major Washington; your modesty is alone equal to your merit.""

Nothing can be truer than this last remark. The mind of Washington seems not to have been susceptible of vanity any more than it was of fear. No praise elevated, and no censure depressed him. Success did not elate him, nor reverses discourage. But, calmly relying upon Providence and his own best efforts, he went on, as it were, with a single eye in the discharge of his duties, without looking for the flatteries of mankind. In short, he was always, even in youth, GEORGE WASHINGTON.

CHAPTER IV.

Virginia raises a regiment, and the command devolves upon Colonel Washington-His campaign in the wilderness -Captures a party of the French-Learns that a large body of the enemy are approaching, and retires to Fort Necessity

Is attacked by nine hundred troops; and, after a gallant defence, is offered honourable terms, and capitulates-Receives a second vote of thanks from the house-Retires from the army-Accepts the station of aid to General Braddock-Is taken sick-Joins Braddock on the night before the 'battle-Gives him judicious advice, which is not heededBattle-Retreat-Conduct-Reception at home-Remarks.

THE conflicting claims of France and England were now approaching a crisis. The news of the encroachments already made having reached the British ministry, measures were taken for a confederation among the colonies for the purpose of defence and retaliation. All were interested in the dispute, and must necessarily be involved in the war. Virginia, however, had been foremost in taking up the quarrel,

and, for some time, was left to maintain it almost alone.

The military establishment of this colony was increased to six companies, and placed under the command of Colonel Fry, an officer of worth and distinction, and Washington was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, being the second in command. Colonel Washington, upon whom the command mostly devolved from the first, and to whom it was soon entirely transferred, in consequence of the sudden death of Colonel Fry, kept his head quarters at Alexandria until the beginning of April, when, with two companies, he marched for Will's Creek, where he was soon joined by a third. A small party had previously been despatched to the junction of the Monongahela and Allegany rivers, the place designated by Washington as suitable for the erection of a fort, with instructions to occupy the ground and commence the works before the French should come down the river. But Washington had not reached the station at Will's Creek when he had the mortification to learn that this party had fallen into the hands of the French, who had descended the river in considerable numbers, and were now enlarging and completing the fort, and strengthening themselves in the post which they had captured.

This circumstance rendered the situation of Washington's little army exceedingly critical. There was now no barrier between him and the enemy, and even a well armed detachment

might surround him and make him prisoner. In these circumstances he acted with characteristic promptness. He sent letters to the governors of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, informing them of his situation, and asking for reinforcements. He then held a council of war, and, notwithstanding the threatening danger, resolved to push boldly into the wilderness, and, if possible, penetrate to the Monongahela and erect a fortress at the mouth of Redstone Creek.

His progress through the wilderness was slow and toilsome; and, having reached the Yohogany, and learning from a chief whom he had met in his first excursion that a party of the enemy was at hand, he threw up a temporary defence at the Great Meadows, and sent out a party to reconnoitre; but no traces of the enemy were discovered. He soon learned, however, where they were posted; and detailing a detachment of forty men, he marched forward to meet them. The night was dark; the rain poured in torrents; the way was intricate and encumbered with bushes; the men were often obliged to grope among the rocks and over fallen trees on their hands and knees; but in defiance of all these difficulties Washington continued to advance during the whole night, and joining a party of friendly Indians early in the morning, he proceeded to make the attack.

The French detachment was found in an obscure retreat surrounded by rocks, and as soon as they discovered Washington and his

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