Among the most striking features of these salt-works were the huge wooden windmills built along the row of basins nearest the sea, which were used for pumping the water from the ocean into the salt-works themselves. They were raised on wooden staging some fifty or sixty feet above the level of the ground, and were like the ordinary grinding windmill of the time, with four wings, sometimes of frame-work stretched with canvas, and sometimes with huge slats, after the manner of the ordinary house-blind. If you go to-day through Barnstable County, and further down the Cape through Yarmouth, Dennis, Worcester, and Orleans, you may see some of these salt-works—not now in operation, but resting quietly there until they drop to pieces from old age. Some of the windmills still stand, in part if not in whole, and they with the strange-looking squatty salt basins make the country look like some foreign land. It might either be a bit of Holland or some East-Indian or African scene, were it not for the stiff, severe white New England meeting-house that is sure to be not far away.
[A VIRGINIA CAVALIER.]
BY MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL.
CHAPTER XIX.
The news brought by George confirmed all the fears of the war which was presently to begin and to last for seven years. The Governor immediately called together his council, laid before them Major Washington's report, and for once acted with promptitude. It was determined to raise a force of several hundred men to take possession of the disputed territory, and without a single opposing voice the command was offered to Major Washington, with the additional rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
George said little, but his gratification was deeper than he could express. He wrote to his mother at once, and also to Betty, and Betty answered: "Our mother is very resigned, for she knows, dear George, that when one has a son or a brother who is a great military genius, and who everybody knows must one day be a great man, one must give him up to his country." At which George laughed very much, for he did not think himself either a genius or a great man.
After receiving the Governor's instructions, and paying a flying visit to Ferry Farm, George went to Mount Vernon, as all the preparations for the campaign were to be made at Alexandria, which was the rendezvous.
His days were now spent in the most arduous labor. He knew what was before him, and he was full of care. He was very anxious to enlist men from the mountain districts, as being better able to withstand the hardships of a mountain campaign. He wrote to Lord Fairfax, who was Lieutenant of the county of Frederick, and a recruiting station was opened at Greenway Court. At last, in April, he was ready to march on his first campaign. His force consisted of about four hundred Virginia troops, with nine swivels mounted on carriages. He expected to be joined by other troops from Maryland and Pennsylvania, but he was doomed to be cruelly disappointed. The morning of the 15th of April, 1754, was bright and warm, and at eight o'clock the soldiers marched out, to the music of the fife and drum, from the town of Alexandria, with Colonel Washington at their head.
They were a fine-looking body of men, but, as always, Colonel Washington was the finest figure present. He rode a superb chestnut horse, handsomely caparisoned. In his splendid new uniform his elegant figure showed to the greatest advantage. All the windows of the streets through which they marched were filled with spectators. At one Colonel Washington removed his chapeau, and bowed as if to royalty, for from it his mother and Betty were watching him. His mother raised her hands in blessing, while Betty held out her hands as if to clasp him. And when he had passed the two fond creatures fell into each other's arms and cried together very heartily.