Eastern times., 1855-10-18
Wisttllang.
PeTils of Washington in 1853.

The history of Washington is full OF those
incidents, which, taken singly, hardly excite
extraordinary attention, but when combined
together mark out the overruling providence
of God in raising him up, protecting him, dis
ciplining and educating him for the great work
which he was to do in establishing the inde-
pendent existence Of the United States of
America
The account given in Irving's Life OF WASH
ington of his employment when but twenty
two years old, by Gov. Dinwiddie of Virginia,
on diplomatic service TO the commander Of
the French posts on the Ohio and south OF
Lake Erie-in which service there was want
ed physical strength and moral enorgy a
courage to cope with savages and a sagacity
to negotiate with white men, furnishes Incl
dents Of that sort. With a few guides and
pioneers he had threaded his way across the
wilderness with safety-had held conferences
with friendly and with doubtful sachems on the
way-had foiled all the crafty plans Of the
French officers to detach from his interests the
friendly Indians who accompanied him to the
Fort at French Creek, and late in December,
on his return had reached Beaver Creek,
whence he took an Indian guide to the banks
of the Allegheny. Says Irving =
He entered upon his duties with alacrity,
took Washington's pack upon his back, and
led the way by what he said was the most cor
rect course. After travelling briskly for eight
or ten miles, Washington became fatigued,
and his feet were chafed he thought, too,
they were taking direction too much to the
northeast; he came to halt, therefore, and
determined 10 light fire, make shelter of
bark and branches OF trees, and encamp for
the night. The Indian demurred and Of
tered as Washington was fatigued, to carry
his gun, but the latter was too wary to part
with his weapon. The Indian now grew
churlish there were Ottawa Indians in the
woods, he said, who might be attracted by
their fire, and surprise and scalp them he
urged, therefore, that they should continue
on he would take them to his cabin, where
they would be safe.
Mr.. Gist's suspicious increased, but he said
nothing. Washington's also were awakened.
They proceeded some distance further; the
guide paused and listened. He had heard, he
said, the report of gun towards the north !
it must be from his cabin he accordingly
turned his steps in that direction.
Washington began to apprehend an ambus-
cade of savages. He knew the hostility Of
many of them to the English, and what de-
sirabe trophy was the scalp of a white man.
The Indian still kept on towards the north ,
he pretended to hear two whoops-they were
from his cabin-it could not be far off.
They went on two miles further. when
Washington signi6ed his determination to en-
camp at the first water they should find. The
guide said nothing, but kept doggedly on
After little while they arrived at an opening
in the woods, and emerging from the deep
shadows in which they had been travelling,
found themselves in clear meadow, rendered
still more light by the glare of the snow upon
the ground. Scarcely had they emerged when
the Indian, who was about fifteen PAGES ahead,
suddenly turned, leveled his gun, and fired.
Washington was startled for an instant, but
feeling that he was not wounded, demanded
quickly of Mr.. Gist if he was shot. The lat
ter answered in the negative. The Indian in
the meantime ran forward and screened him
self behind large white oak, where he com
menced re-loading his gun. They overlook