American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-02-19

my Companions. Had we not been very tired, I
am sure we should not have slept much that
night"
The next night he related that they had a good
dinner a a good Feather Bed. which was a very
agreeable regale."
In describing an Indian war dance, he went on.
Some liquor elevating their Spirits put them in
We Humor of Dauncing. Ye best Dauneer jumped
about We ring In a most comicle Manner
Others of that wilderness gang told a story OF
the boy surveyor which he was too modest to
relate about hi~mself-how young George turned
the tables on Big Bear, the willy chief. who was in
the habit Of holding out his sinewy hand with
seeming friendly intent and saying. Indian fash
ion, Howe Woe to the unsuspecting white man
whose hand Big Bear seized in his terrible grasp.
while he laughed in savage glee at the pale
faces anguished contortions.
Young Washington had been warned in time.
He had a huge. strong hand OF his own and knew
a trick or two that he thought he would like to
try on that Indians wiry claw If he could Just get
the right hold. His chance came soon enough for
Big Deai. who presented a seemingly amicable
paw with an innocent How"
The young surveyor seized the Indians hand
with such friendly enthusiasm that Big Bear did an
agCnizing little dance in a very comicnl manner"
while the spectators, both white ana red. stood by
and shouted With glce to see the cruel savage
caught IN his own trap. Never again did Big
near show such solicltude for the health OF George
Washington.
Al the age Of twenty George was the chosen
envoy to carry a notice to quit from the GOV.
ernOr OF Virginia TO the French commander en-.
ctmped In the Ohio region. He wrote in his Jour.
nal 81 that expedition concerning the supper given
him by the French and Indians at the fort at Ven
augo.
The wine, as they dosed themselves pretty
rlentfully with il. soon banished the restraint
which at first appeared in the conversation, and
gave a license TO their tongues to reveal their
sentiments more freely. They told me that il was
their absolute design to take possession Of the
Ohio-and by c. they would do IT,"
AT the French fort. while awaiting the COM
mandants reply, the young envoy from Virginia
played a diplomatic game for the friendship of the
Indians. When the French piled the Indians with
liquor, young Washington promised them guns:
and the game Of diplomacy. seasoned with savege
sauce. went on between the grizzled chevalier. old
in the arts OF war and duplicity. and the young
Virginia major, who possessed common sense and
humor withal.
After the awful slaughter OF Fort Duquesne.
into which he had rushed from a bed OF fever, in
a vein attempt to save Braddock and his army.
Major Washington was left in command OF the
scattered forces. At this time he wrote to his
brother Jack a letter, which at least suggests
Mark Twain's attitude toward the grossly exag.
gerated story Of his own death:
Forth Cumberland, is July, 1855.
Dear Brother; As l have heard. since my an.
rival at this place, a circumstantial account of my
death and dying speech, l take this early oppor.
tunlty OF contradicting the first, and of assuring
you uhat l have not as yet composed the latter.