On his return to Winchester he found that the English officers were discussing the practicability of making a new road to Duquesne, or, at least, from Raystown to Duquesne by the way of Laurel Hill.
"Better march thither by the old road which General Braddock constructed," suggested Washington.
"His road did not lead him to victory," answered one of the officers naively.
"Neither will a new road, if that is all you have to depend upon," remarked Washington. "The difficulties of making a new road through this rough country are so great that such an enterprise should not be undertaken unless it is absolutely necessary."
"We came to this country for such business whenever it is necessary," said General Forbes, commander of the expedition.
"Exactly; but a new road is not necessary to make this expedition against Duquesne a success."
"How is that?"
"Because it will consume so much time that winter will be upon us before we can reach the fort. An early movement on the old roads is far more desirable, in my judgment, than a late one on a new road."
"But you do not consider that the king's regulars are experienced in such work, and they will not require the time which the provincial troops do to complete such a piece of work."
"Perhaps so," replied Washington in a doubtful tone, as if he recalled the old boast of the English generals about the might of their regulars. He had seen enough of these boasted heroes in the former expedition against Duquesne to cause him to decidedly prefer provincial troops.