seizing the hand of the first that was lifting the spade, cried out "Stop, my brave fellow my hand must heave the first earth that is thrown up in defence of this country!""

Leaving a small garrison behind him, he dashed on for Fort Duquesne, (Fort Pitt,) hoping by the reduction of that important post, to strike terror into the enemy, and defeat their plans. But though this was a bold stroke of generalship, yet it appeared that he had not a force, sufficient to effect it. For in the midst of this day's march, he was met by a party of friendly Indians, who, running up to him, with looks and gestures greatly agitated, cried out: "Fly! fly! don't look behind you! your enemies are upon you, thick as the pigeons in the woods!"

Washington called a council of his officers, who advised an immediate return to Fort Necessity, which they hardly recovered before their sentinels fired an alarm; came running in; and stated that the woods were alive with Frenchmen and Indians! It should have been observed, that the dreadful news of the day before, had produced so shameful a desertion among his troops in the course of the night, that when the enemy attacked, which they did with 1500 men, Washington had but 300 to stand by him. But never did the true Virginia valour shine more gloriously than on this trying occasion to see 300 young fellows-commanded by a smooth-faced boy -all unaccustomed to the terrors of war-far from home-and from all hope of help-shut up in a dreary wilderness-and surrounded by five times their number of savage foes, yet without sign of fear, preparing for mortal combat! Scarcely since the days of Leonidas and his three hundred deathless Spartans, had the sun beheld its equal. With hideous whoops and yells, the enemy came on like a host of tigers. The woods and rocks, and tall tree-tops, filled with Indians, were in one continued blaze and crash of fire-arms. Nor were our youthful warriors

idle but animated by their youthful commander, they plied their rifles with such spirit, that the little fort resembled a volcano in full blast, roaring and discharging thick sheets of liquid fire and of leaden deaths among their foes. For nine glorious hours, salamander-like, enveloped in smoke and flames, they sustained the attack of the enemy's whole force, and laid two hundred of them dead on the spot! Discouraged by such desperate resistance, the French general, the Count de Villiers, sent in a flag to Washington, highly extolling his gallantry, and offermg him the most honourable terms. It was stipulated, that Washington and his little band of heroes, should march away with all the honours of war, and carry with them their military stores and baggage.

On their return to the bosom of their country, they were every where received with the praises which they had so well deserved. The Legislature voted the thanks of the nation to Washington and his officers; with a pistole to each of his men, about 300.

In the course of the following winter, notice was given from the mother country, that American officers, acting with the British, should bear no command!! Hence the poorest shoat, if wearing the proud epaulette of a Briton, might command a Wolfe, if so unlucky as to be an American! !! Incensed at such an outrage on common justice, and the rights of his countrymen, Washington threw up his commission, and retired to his plantation, Mount Vernon, lately left him by his brother Lawrence. Here, Cincinnatus-like, he betook him to his favorite plough. But the season called for the sword; and he was now risen too high to be overlooked in times like those when troubles and fears began to darken over all the land.

The report of his gallant but unsuccessful struggle with the French and Indians, soon reached England: and the ministry thinking the colonies alone too

weak to repel the enemy, hurried on General Braddock, with two heavy regiments, to their aid. This reinforcement arrived early in the spring of 1755. Leaving them at the Capes on their way up to Belle-haven, (now Alexandria,) Braddock called at Williamsburgh, to see Governor Dinwiddie, who attended him to Alexandria.

"Where is Colonel Washington ?" said General Braddock. "I long to see him."

"He is retired from the service, Sir," replied the Governor.

"Retired! Sir!" continued the General, "Colonel Washington retired! pray, Sir, what's the reason?"

On hearing the cause, he broke into a passion against the order from the war-office as a shameful piece of partiality—and extolled Colonel Washington as "a young man of sense and spirit, who knew and asserted his rights as became a soldier and a British subject."

He then wrote to Washington, whom he pressingly invited to join his army, and accept the rank of a volunteer aid-de-camp in his own family. This invitation was cheerfully accepted by our young countryman, who waited on General Braddock as soon as he heard of his arrival at Alexandria. About the same time, three companies of excellent Virginia marksmen, raised by order of the Legislature, arrived at the British camp.

It was in the month of June, 1755, that the army, upwards of 2000 strong, left Alexandria; and, with their faces to the west, began their march to the mournful ditty of "over the hills and far away." On the route Washington was taken sick; and by the time they had reached the Little Meadows, had become so very ill, that Braddock, at the instance of the physicians, insisted most peremptorily that he should lie by until Colonel Dunbar with the rear of the army came up. With great reluctance he yielded to their wishes. But so great were his fears for the army, lest in those wild woods it should fall into some Indian snare, that the moment his fever left

him, he mounted his horse, and pursued, and overtook them the very evening before they fell into that ambuscade which he had all along dreaded. For the next morning, the 9th of July, when they were safely arrived within seven miles of Fort Duquesne! and so confident of success, that their general swore he would that night sup either in Fort Duquesne or in the lower regions-behold, the Virginia Rangers discovered signs of Indians.

it.

Here Washington, with his usual modesty, observed to General Braddock what sort of an enemy he had now to deal with-an enemy who would not, like the Europeans, come forward to a fair contest in the field, but concealed behind the rocks and trees, carry on a deadly warfare with their rifles. He concluded with these words, "I beg of your excellency the honour to allow me to lead on with the Virginia Riflemen, and fight them in their own way." Had it been decreed that this hapless army should have been saved, this was the counsel to have effected But it would seem, alas! that heaven had ordained their fall in that distant land; and there with their flesh to fatten the wolves and vultures on the hills of Monongahela. For General Braddock, who had all along treated the American officers with infinite contempt, rejected Washington's counsel, and swelling with most unmanly rage, replied, "High, times, by High times! when a young Buckskin can teach a British General how to fight!" Instantly the pale, fever-worn cheeks of Washington turned fiery red. But smothering his feelings, he rode towards his men, biting his lips with grief and rage, to think how many brave fellows would draw short breath that day through the pride and obstinacy of one epauletted madman. Formed in heavy columns the troops continued to advance. A little beyond the Monongahela, was a narrow defile, through which lay their road, with moss-grown rocks on either side, and aged trees that spread an awful shade. Here, in perfect concealment, the French and Indians lay,

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waiting impatiently for this devoted army. soon, alas! the army came up, and entering the defile, moved along in silence, like sheep to the slaughter, little dreaming how close the bloody fates hovered around them. Thinking their prey now completely in their clutches, all at once, the Indians set up the most hideous yells, as if the woods were filled with ten thousand panthers. This they did, both as a terror to the British, and a signal to attack; for in the same moment they poured in a general fire, which instantly covered the ground with death in every hideous shape. Some were seen sinking pale and lifeless at once, giving up the ghost with only a hollow groan-others rolling on the earth, convulsed and shrieking in the last agonies, while life and life's warm blood together gushed in hissing torrents from their breasts. Such sights of their bleeding comrades, had the enemy but been in view, instead of depressing would but have inflamed British blood with fiercer thirst for vengeance. But, alas! to be thus entrapped in a dreary wild! to be thus pent up, and shot from behind rocks and trees, by an invisible enemy, was enough to dismay the stoutest hearts. Their native valour, however, and confidence in themselves, did not at once forsake them. But, animated by their officers, they stood their ground, and for a considerable time fought like heroes. But seeing no impression made by their fire, while that of the enemy, heavy as at first, with fatal flashes continued to cut down their ranks, they at length took a panic, and fell into great confusion. Happily, on the left, where lay the deadliest fire, Washington's rangers were posted; but not exposed like the British. For, on hearing the horrible savage yells, in a moment they flew each to his tree, like the Indians; and like them, each levelled his rifle, and with as deadly aim. This, through a kind Providence, saved Braddock's army; for exulting in their confusion, the savages, grimly painted, yelling like furies, burst from their coverts, eager to glut their