The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-04-18
lnstaIIment 6

ldDu. amherst LOOK l<OulSDOurB, WOIIe
came to Quebec and General Forbes,
that stout and steady soldier. was
sent to Virginia to go against Du-
quesne. The advance was slow to
evaporation in the view of every ard
ent man like Washington, and eau
tious almost to timidity; but the very
delay redounded to it's success at last
Home for the Winter.
Twas November before Dueuesne
was reached. The Indians gathered
there, seeing winter come on, had not
waited to meet them; and the French
by that time knew themselves in dam
ger of being cut off by the English OPP
erations in the north. When Forbes
forces, therefore, at last entered those
fatal woods again, where Brad
docks slaughtered men had lain to
rot, the French had withdrawn; moth
ing remained but to enter the smok-
ing ruins of their abandoned fort, hoist
the kings flag, and rename the post
Fort Pitt; and Washington turned
homeward again to seek the rest he
SO much needed
n FdZdroouS Feat.
1t had been almost a bloodless cam
paign. but such danger as it had
brought Washington had shared to
the utmost. The French had not
taken themselves off without at least
one trial of the English strength.
While yet Forbes lay within the noun
tains large detachment had come
from Duquesne to test and reconnoiter
his force. Colonel Mercer of the Vir-
ginia line, had been ordered forward
with party to meet them.
He stayed SO long, and the noise of
the firing came back with so doubt
full meaning to the anxious ears at
the camp, that Washington fastened
with volunteers to his relief In the
dusk the two bodies of Englishmen
met. mistook each other for enemies,
exchanged a deadly fire, and were
checked only because Washington
rushed between their, lines. even while
their pieces blazed, cried his hot COM
mands to stop, and struck up the
smoking muzzles with his sword.
Twas through no prudence of his that
he was not shot.
French Power Ends.
For long time his friends had felt
deep uneasiness about his health.
They had very earnestly besought him
not to attempt new campaign. You
will in all probability bring on a re-
lapse" George Mason had warned him.
land render Yourself incapable of sery-
ing the public at time when there
may be the utmost occasion. There
is nothing more certain than that
gentleman of your station owes the
care of his health and his life not only
to himself and his friends, but to his
country" But he had deemed the
nearest duty the most imperative; and
1t was only after that duty was dis
posed of that he had turned from
the field to seek home and new pleas
ures along with new duties. The win
ter brought news from Quebec of the
fall of the French power in America,
which made rest and home and pleas
ure the more grateful and full of
zest
An Accidental Meeting.
On a May day in 1858, as he spurred
upon the way to williamsburg, under
orders from the frontier, Washington
rod straight upon an adventure he
had not looked for.
He was within few miles ride of
the little capital; old plantations lay
close upon the way; neighborly homes
began to multiply; and so striking a
horseman riding uniformed and unat.
tended. could not whereabouts 60 far
unrecognized. He was waylaid and
hailed to dinner. despite excuses and
protests of public business calling for
dispatch. There was a charming
woman to be seen at the house. his
friend told him, II good dinner was
not argument enough-and his bust.
ness could not spoil for an hours stay
In agreeable company. And so. of a
sudden, under constraint of Virginian
hospitality. he was hurried into the
presence Of the gracious young matron
who was at once, and as If of right, to
make his heart safe against further
quest of adventure.
Martha Custis was but siy-and-twen-
ty, To the charnsof youth and beauty
were added that touch of quiet sweet.
ness and that winning grace of SELF.
possession which come to a woman
wived in her girlhood, and widowed
before age or care has checked the
first full tide of life. At seventeen
she had married Daniel Parke Custis.
man more than twenty years her
senior; for eight years of quiet love
and duty as wife and mother had
only made her, youth the more gra-
cious in that rukal land of leisure and
good neighborhdpd; and a years wild.
owhood had been but suitable prepa-
ration for perceiisng the charm OF this
stately young so4Aier who now came
riding her way Supon the nublic /
business.
A Willing Captive.
His age was heA own; all the land
knew him and lowell him for gallantrv
and brave capkcity: he carried |
himself like pr9ace-and he forgot |
his errand IN lina r. Il, ~. a~.