“On what business? I am Major George Washington of the Virginia militia.”
“Your servant, sir,” said the young man. “I am Ensign Edward Ward of Captain William Trent’s company from the frontier, to establish a fort in our Ohio country beyond the Great Mountains. You are safe returned, Major Washington? What of the French? They will advance?”
“You will be first, sir, if you act boldly,” Washington replied. “Is this a movement by the militia?”
“We are Independents, sent to protect the holdings of the Ohio Company along the Ohio.”
“Where is Captain Trent?”
“Enlisting other men, to follow with cannon and powder. How far to the Forks, sir? You have been there?”
“I, and also Mr. Gist, whom you see. The Forks are one hundred and forty miles, by slow trail. But the principal fort should be located there, at all hazards,” asserted Washington. “Spend no time in looking elsewhere. I am hurrying to the Governor with that advice.”
“The Indians are to be friendly?” Ensign Ward queried. “Settlers are only one day behind me, to take up company land at the Monongahela.”
“You have an interpreter with you?”
“Not yet, sir. We hope to meet up with the trader John Davidson, and employ him. But where, I do not know.”