The History of England - a Study in Political Evolution

Gov-er-nor Din-wid-die made up his mind that the troops, led by Wash-i

worn out, and had no arms, nor tents, nor clothes, nor food, such as would fit them to t

ds, of 100 men each. The King's troops were put in high rank, and Col-o-nel Wash-ing-ton was made Cap-

t was to fight the French. He knew that he would need the aid of Wash-ing-ton, and he begged him to come b

in-to Can-a-da. Our men were full of joy, and thought the war would soon be at an end. Brad-dock urged Wash-ing-ton to join him in the field. Wash-i

guard of horse-men, set out for Will's Creek, by the way of Win-ches-ter, in A-pril, 1755. He rode in a fine turn-out that he had bought of Gov-er-nor Sharpe, which he

e the troops look up to him, a

chance to learn much of the art of war that was new and

hat the dead would war no more, and the drums beat the dead march. When near the grave the guard formed two lines that stood face to face, let their guns rest on the ground, and leaned their heads on the butts. The corpse was borne twixt these two rows

em were White Thun-der, who had charge of the "speech-belts," and Sil-ver Heels, w

and yell for half the night. It was fun for the King's troops to watch them at t

ir plumes and war paint, hung round Brad-dock's camp, and gaze

d and white men, and some of the red-skins left the camp. They told Brad

rt Cum-ber-land, on Will's Creek, and was then on his way to Fort Du-quesne. He would give no heed to those who knew more of the back-woods than he did, nor

gh roads they had to drag the guns, and Brad-dock soon found out that thes

f so young a man, he was at last forced to ask

ad-ows. Wash-ing-ton said there was no

to camp. They were fond of the chase, and were well-armed with knives and g

nt of his band and said that he and his men were used to rough work, an

tain Jack. He told his men what had been said, and the whole band turned their backs on the camp, a

for some days, grew so ill that he could not ride on hi

with a guard, and in care of Doc-tor Craik, and here he had to stay for two long weeks. By that time he could move, but not with-out much pain, for he was still quite weak. It was his wis

camp, but twixt them lay a pass two miles in length, with the stream on the left and a high range of hills on the right. The plan was to ford

the noise of drum and fife. To Wash-ing-ton this was a grand sight. Though still

and sharp fire from foes they could not see. Wild war-whoops and fierce yells rent the air. What Wash-ing-ton feared, had come to pass.

by those in the rear. Some of the Vir-gin-i-a troops took post back of trees, and fought as the red-men did. Wash-ing-ton thought it would be a good plan for Brad-dock's men to do the same. But he thought there was b

for the guns of the foe, and yet not a shot struck him to do him harm. Four small shots went through his coat. Two of

zed with fright. Wash-ing-ton sprang from his horse, wheeled a brass field-piece with his own ha

had been slain in his sight; five times had he been forced to mount a fresh horse, as one by one was s

from his horse, and was borne from the field. The troops took fright at onc

lost!" t

ock is

mp 40 miles off, and was on his wa

in a calm state but full of pain. Now and then his lips would move and he was heard t

own life, and won the day. But he was a proud man, and when he made up his mind to do a thing he would do it at al

im in the field thought that he bore a charmed life, for though he stood where the shot fell thick and fast he was not hurt, and showed no signs of fear. But Wash-ing-ton w

-de-camp, and which had so sad an end,