Chapter VII: Young Surveyor

His Mother's Views about his Future--The Plea of Lawrence--Goes
to Live at Mount Vernon--Lawrence's Eye on a Military Life for
him--Lessons in "The Manual Exercise"--Lessons in
"Fencing"--Reading Military Treatises--In the Family of William
Fairfax--What the Latter thought of him--Meets Lord
Fairfax--What Everett says of him--What Irving says--Reading
Books and Fox Hunting--An Unexpected Proposition--Becomes a
Surveyor--His Appearance now--Keeping a Journal--Extracts from
Letter and Journal--Mode of Life described--Hardships--What
Abbott and Everett say of his Hardships--Camping Out--In Indian
Wigwam--His Journal describes a Scene--Other Entries--What he
recorded--Sparks' Tribute to his Thoroughness as a
Surveyor--Everett's Tribute--The Stevenson Family--Sports with
the Seven Sons--Among his Officers, Later--Greenaway
Court--Appointed Public Surveyor--In Training for the War of
Seventy-six 132

VIII.

MILITARY HONORS.

The Proposition of Lawrence, and Discussion of it--Appointed
Adjutant-general--Ill Health of Lawrence--Decides to spend the
Winter in Barbadoes--George goes with him--Lawrence no
Better--George has the Small-pox--Returns to Virginia in
April--Lawrence returns in June and dies in Six Weeks--George
one of his Executors--What Everett says of it--Enters Masonic
Lodge--His Commission renewed--Duties pressing upon him--Signs
of War--Encroachments by the French--The Claims of the
Indians--What a Chief said--The Governor's Conference with
Gist--Mission to the French proposed--George offers his
Services--Interview with Governor Dinwiddie--A Copy of his
Commission--His Companions--Visits his Mother--Letter to French
Commander 150

IX.

MISSION TO THE FRENCH.

The Journey begun--Route--A Storm--A Torrent--Baggage on
Canal--Visit to Shingiss--Tanacharisson--Monochatica--Meeting
Deserters--Learning of the Forts from there to New Orleans--The
Half-king--Describes his Visit to Pierre Paul, now Dead--His
Speech--Pierre Paul's Reply--Indian Council and Washington's
Speech--Indian's Reply--Results of the Council--Indians to
conduct them to the Fort--Journey delayed--Way to
Venango--Arrival and Conference with the French--Dinner
Scene--Information 163

X.

FRENCH MISSION--(CONTINUED.)

The Next Fort--Introduction to Commander--Arrival of Paul's
Successor--Receives Dinwiddie's Letter--Washington draws Plan of
the Fort--His Inquiries about Certain Captures--Reparti's Reply
to Dinwiddie--French attempt to bribe Indians--Injury to White
Thunder, and Delay--Return Journey--Snow--Washington and Gist
leave the Party--Their Adventure--The Indian Guide--He proves
False--A Startling Episode--The Indian disposed of--Reaching the
River--Building a Raft--Attempt to Cross--Washington straggling
in the Water--They reach an Island--Escape--Twenty Indian
Warriors--The Indian Queen--Arrival at Williamsburg--Interview
with the Governor--His Journal printed 178

XI.

HIS FIRST BATTLE.

Effect of Washington's Mission--Orders from the
King--Recruiting--The Governor's Bounty to Soldiers--Washington
offered the Command--Talk with a Friend--Letter to Colonel
Corbin--Does not accept Command--Payne knocks Washington
down--How the Affair ended--What McGuire says of Washington's
Magnanimity--Washington takes up his March--Meeting Captain
Trent--Need of More Men--Courier announces Surrender of
Fort--Declaration of War--Washington's Prompt Action--March to
Red Stone Creek and Great Meadows--The French surprised, and a
Battle--Jumonville killed--Entrenching at Great Meadows--Short
of Supplies--His Own Chaplain--Order against Swearing--Marching
to meet the Foe--Retreat to Great Meadows--A Hot
Battle--Washington surrenders--Return to Williamsburg--Honors,
and Larger Provisions--Death of Jumonville
justified--Dinwiddie's Words 194