The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-04-11

with few. hundred men against prowL
Ing bands OF savages, masters OF the
craft Of swift and secret attack, deg
ferrous at skuIking," in country
mountainous and full OF swamps and
hollow ways covered with woods
For twenty years now settlers had
been coming steadily .ato rhis wilder
ness that lay up and down upon the
, nearer slopes OF the great mountains
-TGermhns. Scots-Irish. hard breed.
Their settlements lay scattered far
and near among the foothills and val
leys. Their men were valiant and
stout-hsarted, quick with the rife,
hare as flint when they were once
afoot to revenge themselves for muir.
dered wives and children and com
rades.
But how could they. scattered az
they were, meet these covert sallies
in the dead Of nighta sudden rush OF
men with torches. the keen knife, the
quick rife? The country filled with
fugitives, for whom Washington's mi
litiamen could find neither food nor
shelter.
Washlnaton's Tender Heart.
The supplicating tears of the WON.
en-, and moving petitions OF the
men," cried the young commander,
melt me into such deadly sorrow that
! solemnly declare, II know my own
mind. could offer myself a willing
sacrifice to the butchering enemy,
provided that would contribute to the
peoples ease. | would be a
willing offering to save fury, and die
by inches to save people,
It was a comfort to know, at least,
that he was trusted and believed in.
The Burgesses had thanked him under
the very stroke of Braddock's defeat,
in terms which could not be doubted
sincere. In the very thick OF his deep
troubles, when he would have guarded
the helpless people of the border. but
could not, Colonel Fairfax could send
him word from Williamsburg, your
good health and fortune are the toast
at every table, Our Colonel" wrote
young comrade In arms, lis an ex-
ample of fortitude In either danger or
hardships. and by his easy, polite be-
havior has gained not only the regard
but affection of both officers and sol
diers."
A Trying Ordeal.
But It took all the steadiness that
had been born or bred in him to en-.
dure the strain OF the disheartening
task. from which he could not in hon
or break away. His plans, he com
planned, were to-day approved. tomor-
row condemned" He was hidden do
what was impossible. 1t would re-
quire fewer men to go against Du-
quesne again and remove the cause
Of danger than to prevent the effects
while the cause remained. Many of
his officers we're careless and ineffi.
cient. many OF his men mutinous.
your Honor will hope, excuse my
| hanging instead of shooting them" he
wrote to the governor; at conveyed
much more terror to others. and 1t
was for examples sake that we did
| it,"
IL was test as of fire for young
colonel In his twenties.
But single light lies upon the
picture. Early in 1776. ere the sum
mers terrors had come upon the
border. and while he could be
spared, Washington took horse and
made his way to Boston to see Gov
ernor Shirley, now acting as command
er-in-chief In the colonies, and from
him at first hand obtained settlement
OF that teasing question Of rank that
had already driven the young officer
once from the service. He went very
bravely bright in proper uniform OF
buff and blue. white-and-scarlet cloak
upon his shoulders, the sword at his
side knotted with red and gold. his
horses fittings engraved with the
Washington arms, and trimmed in the
best style OF the London saddlers.
With him rode two aides In their uni
forms. and two servants in their white.
ahd-scarlet livery.
Curious folk who looked upon the
celebrated young officer upon the road
saw him fare upon his way with all
the pride OF an admirable Virginia
gentleman, handsome man, and an
| admirable horseman-a very gallant
figure, no one could deny. Everywhere
he was feted as he went: everywhere
he showed himself the earnest, high.
strung, achieving youth he was.
An Affair of the Heart.
In New York he fell into new am
bush. from which he did not come of
without wound. His friend Beverly
Robinson must needs have Miss Mary
Phillipse at his house there. beauty
and an helress. and Washington came
away from her with a sharp rigor at
his heart. But he could not leave
that desolate frontier at home unpro-
tected to stay for a siege OF lady's
heart; he had recovered from such
wounds before. had before that left
pleasure for duty: and in proper sea.