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The Virginians

Chapter 7 Preparations for War

Word Count: 3613    |    Released on: 06/12/2017

ngton's room was more than ever Mr. Washington's room now. She raved about him and praised him in all companies. She more than ever pointed out his excellences to her sons, contrasting his sterling

he friends round about him. He uttered jokes so deep that his simple mother did not know their meani

arrington. "How contrary is the destiny to us! I see you quitting the embrace of an adored mother to precipitate yourself in the arms of Bellona. I see you pass wounded after combats. I hesitate almost to wish victory to our lilies when I behold you ranged under the banners of the Leopard. There are enmities which the heart does not recognise-ours assuredly are at peace among the tumults. All here love and salute you, as well as

tched from home under an experienced commander. In February, 1755, Commodore Keppel, in the famous ship Centurion, in which Anson had made his voyage round the world, anchored in Hampton Roads with two ships of war under his command, and having on board General Braddock, his staff, and a part of his troops. Mr. Braddock was appointed by the Duke. A hundred years ago the

n Maryland, where he ordered the governors of the different colonies to meet him in council, ur

orthwith to see the troops under canvas at Alexandria. The sight of their lines delighted him, and the inspiring music of their fifes and drums. He speedily

ifferent from the horse-racing, cock-fighting Virginian squires, with whom Master Harry would associate, and the lawyers, and pettifoggers, and toad-eaters at the lieutenant-governor's table. Madam Esmond had a very k

ings, she would scarce have been so ready to recommend their company to her sons. Men and officers swaggered the country round, and frightened the peaceful farm and village folk with their riot: the General raved and stormed against his troops for their disorder; against the provincials for their traitorous niggardliness; the soldiers took possession almost as of a conquered country, they scorned t

and such indeed was the case. The widow received them most graciously, and gave them the best sport the country afforded. Presently, the General himself sent polite messages to the mistress of Castlewood. His father had served with hers under the glorious

m their respects, were our twins of Castlewood, who mounted their best nags, took with them their last London suits, and, with their two negro-boys, in smart liveries behind them, rode in state to wait upon the great man. He

lemen, happened to be dining with his Excellency. "Oh!" says Mr. Dinwiddie, "those are the sons of t

, now gave a disrespectful and ridiculous account of Madam Esmond, made merry with her pomposity and immense

e it had been left when he fell asleep, and spoke of Madam Esmond in curt, disrespectful terms, such as soldiers were in the habit of using in those days, and asking, again,

t juncture, and recommended him to conciliate her by all means. The General had already made up his mind that Mr. Franklin was a very shrewd, intelligent person, and graciously ordered an aide-de-camp to invite the two young men to the next day's dinner. When they appeared he was very pleasant and good-natured; the gentlemen of the General's family made much of them. They behaved, as became persons of t

s for ever with the officers at Williamsburg; he scoured and cleaned and polished all the guns and swords in the house; he renewed the amusements of his childhood, and had the negroes under arms. His mother, who had a gallant spirit, knew that

attachment for his elder brother, worshipped him with an extravagant regard, and in all things gave way to him as the chief. So Harry saw, to his infinite terror, how George, too, in his grave way, was occupied with military matters. George had the wars of Eugene and Marlb

Washington, who had been unlucky in the affair of last year-had already promised to join him as aide-de-camp, and his Excellency would gladly take another young Virginian gentleman into his family." Harry's eyes brightened and his face flushed at this offer. "He would like with all his heart to go!" he cried out. George said, looking hard at his younger brother, that one of them would be proud to attend his Excellency, whilst it would be the other's duty to take care of their mother

" she said; "at such a crisis in the country our family must come forward. Have you-have you settled yet

her; of course I ought to go!"

id Mrs. Mountain, who wa

ld you so!" again cries Harry,

ly ought to go, mothe

ve never recovered your feve

the family. But, you see, 'tis the law of Honour, my Harry." (He here spoke to his brother with a voice of extraordinary kindness and tenderness.) "The grief I have had in this matter has been that I must refu

aid poor Harry,

are here to fill my place. I would like to give way, my dear, as you, I know, would lay down your

st the servants that Mr. George was going on the campaign. Dinah, George's foster-mother, was loud in her lamentations at losing him; Phillis, Harry's old nurse, was as noisy because Master George, as usual, was preferred over Master Harry

She had no patience with him. He did not know what he was doing by leaving home. She begged, implored, insis

opposition. "I know, Mountain," said he, "that Harry woul

!" says Mountain, wit

own it when we talked o

, with a most gloomy, sardonic la

of that mournful co

untain continued, wagging her head. "It may be, my poor delud

an?" cried George, the bl

ill ask your mother to marry him, and you will find him master here when you come back. That is why you ought not to go away, you poor, unhappy, simpl

on the campaign,

rrying campaign, child

me that Mr. Washington had accepte

e back-you will see if he does not. I have proofs of what I say to you-proofs under his own hand-lo

paper?" asked George

s chamber!" says Mrs. Mount

ouse?" cried George. "For shame! I will not look at the p

for Mr. Braddock, and we are expecting ever so much company, and I had to take the things which the Major leaves here-he treats the house just as if it was his own already-into h

e said grimly. "I dare say Mrs. Bluebeard thoug

d carried you from your bed to the sofa in these arms. There, sir, I don't want you there now. My dear Mountain, indeed! Don't tell me! You fly into a passion, and, call names, and wound my feel

e would have seized it at the risk of burning her own fingers, and ere she uttered the above passionate defence of her conduct. Perhaps George was ab

his great big handwriting like a clerk. It was not my fault that he wrote them, or that I found them. Read

ot help taking in the contents of the document before him. "Not a word of this, Mountai

rm in her countenance, asked him at dinner what ailed him that he looked so pale? "Do you suppose, madam," says he

all at the table; called to the servants and laughed at them, and drank more and more. Each time the door wa

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1 Chapter 1 In which one of the Virginians visits home2 Chapter 2 In which Harry has to pay for his Supper3 Chapter 3 The Esmonds in Virginia4 Chapter 4 In which Harry finds a New Relative5 Chapter 5 Family Jars6 Chapter 6 The Virginians begin to see the World7 Chapter 7 Preparations for War8 Chapter 8 In which George suffers from a Common Disease9 Chapter 9 Hospitalities10 Chapter 10 A Hot Afternoon11 Chapter 11 Wherein the two Georges prepare for Blood12 Chapter 12 News from the Camp13 Chapter 13 Profitless Quest14 Chapter 14 Harry in England15 Chapter 15 A Sunday at Castlewood16 Chapter 16 In which Gumbo shows Skill with the Old English Weapon17 Chapter 17 On the Scent18 Chapter 18 An Old Story19 Chapter 19 Containing both Love and Luck20 Chapter 20 Facilis Descensus21 Chapter 21 Samaritans22 Chapter 22 In Hospital23 Chapter 23 Holidays24 Chapter 24 From Oakhurst to Tunbridge25 Chapter 25 New Acquaintances26 Chapter 26 In which we are at a very Great Distance from Oakhurst27 Chapter 27 Plenus Opus Aleae28 Chapter 28 The Way of the World29 Chapter 29 In which Harry continues to enjoy Otium sine Dignitate30 Chapter 30 Contains a Letter to Virginia31 Chapter 31 The Bear and the Leader32 Chapter 32 In which a Family Coach is ordered33 Chapter 33 Contains a Soliloquy by Hester34 Chapter 34 In which Mr. Warrington treats the Company with Tea and a Ball35 Chapter 35 Entanglements36 Chapter 36 Which seems to mean Mischief37 Chapter 37 In which various Matches are fought38 Chapter 38 Sampson and the Philistines39 Chapter 39 Harry to the Rescue40 Chapter 40 In which Harry pays off an Old Debt, and incurs some New Ones41 Chapter 41 Rake's Progress42 Chapter 42 Fortunatus Nimium43 Chapter 43 In which Harry flies High44 Chapter 44 Contains what might, perhaps, have been expected45 Chapter 45 In which Harry finds two Uncles46 Chapter 46 Chains and Slavery47 Chapter 47 Visitors in Trouble48 Chapter 48 An Apparition49 Chapter 49 Friends in Need50 Chapter 50 Contains a Great deal of the Finest Morality51 Chapter 51 Conticuere Omnes52 Chapter 52 Intentique Ora tenebant53 Chapter 53 Where we remain at the Court End of the Town54 Chapter 54 During which Harry sits smoking his Pipe at Home55 Chapter 55 Between Brothers56 Chapter 56 Ariadne57 Chapter 57 In which Mr. Harry's Nose continues to be put out of joint58 Chapter 58 Where we do what Cats may do59 Chapter 59 In which we are treated to a Play60 Chapter 60 Which treats of Macbeth, a Supper, and a Pretty Kettle of61 Chapter 61 In which the Prince marches up the Hill and down again62 Chapter 62 Arma Virumque63 Chapter 63 Melpomene64 Chapter 64 In which Harry lives to fight another Day65 Chapter 65 Soldier's Return66 Chapter 66 In which we go a-courting67 Chapter 67 In which a Tragedy is acted, and two more are begun68 Chapter 68 In which Harry goes westward69 Chapter 69 A Little Innocent70 Chapter 70 In which Cupid plays a Considerable Part71 Chapter 71 White Favours72 Chapter 72 (From the Warrington MS.) In which My Lady is on the Top73 Chapter 73 We keep Christmas at Castlewood. 175974 Chapter 74 News from Canada75 Chapter 75 The Course of True Love76 Chapter 76 Informs us how Mr. Warrington jumped into a Landau77 Chapter 77 And how everybody got out again78 Chapter 78 Pyramus and Thisbe79 Chapter 79 Containing both Comedy and Tragedy80 Chapter 80 Pocahontas81 Chapter 81 Res Angusta Domi82 Chapter 82 Miles's Moidore83 Chapter 83 Troubles and Consolations84 Chapter 84 In which Harry submits to the Common Lot85 Chapter 85 Inveni Portum86 Chapter 86 At Home87 Chapter 87 The Last of God Save the King88 Chapter 88 Yankee Doodle comes to Town89 Chapter 89 A Colonel without a Regiment90 Chapter 90 No.9091 Chapter 91 Satis Pugnae92 Chapter 92 Under Vine and Fig-Tree