Mrs. Washington consented for George to go to sea, and he was to be ready for the boat on its next trip. The day came and George’s box was packed and sent down to the landing while he went in to tell his mother good-by. Noticing tears in her eyes he called to the boy to bring back his box. His mother’s tears had shown him that she was distressed at his leaving and he decided, then and there, to remain with her.
When he was sixteen years old he became a surveyor and was sent out to survey wild lands. He had to take long trips on foot and on horseback in the wilderness. He had three years of hardships in the forest and returned a strong, healthy man of six feet two inches. He learned much of the Indians and their manner of warfare which was of much assistance to him. On his return he became a soldier. Just then brave soldiers were needed, for the French and Indians were at war with the English, and George Washington, with his knowledge of the Indians, was a most valuable soldier.
Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia sent him with a message to the French post, a distance of six hundred miles. He had to go through dense forests, across rivers, and even climb unexplored mountains. Once his Indian guide tried to kill him, and once he narrowly escaped drowning while crossing a swollen stream, but undaunted, he continued the journey and returned with the answer to Governor Dinwiddie.
Washington’s mission as a messenger being accomplished, he now took active part in the war under General Braddock. Braddock was an Englishman, and knowing nothing of Indian warfare, marched his troops through the wilderness with flags flying and drums beating. Washington told him that this was a mistake, but Braddock would not take advice from a young Virginia colonel, and in a short while they were entirely surrounded by Indians. Braddock was killed and Washington had two horses killed under him, and four bullets went through his coat. The Indians thought that Washington had a charmed life. Perhaps his life was spared in order that he might do great things for his country.
THE LEADERSHIP OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
In which we learn something of Washington’s home life, and his success in later years.
Soon after the French and Indian war, George Washington met Mrs. Martha Custis, a beautiful young woman, and married her. The bride and her lady friends returned from the church in a handsome coach drawn by six white horses, as in our fairy tales, while the groom and his friends rode beside the coach on prancing chargers. Washington and his wife went to live at Mount Vernon, a beautiful place that had been his brother’s. Washington liked the life of a farmer and each day would ride over the plantation to see if all the work was done properly. He lived quietly thus for several years, when he was needed again as a soldier.