The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-10-19
CHAPTER Discontinued

"I1l do as you ask, mister; but be-
fore the fighting begins, If there Is
any, want to see You q minute. Il
there's sure to be fighting, come back
TO me. I'll be near the first wagon"
IF 1t is possible, I'll do that" |
agreed, glad to make any terms that
would insure her safety.
There was some delay In starting.
although the drums had pounded out
the "long march," 1t seems that Gen.
eral Braddock wished to examine the
Rush creek shore personally before
breaking camp. Now my hopes were
high again; but, alas The precipitons
banks impressed him as being too
much of an obstacle to overcome now
we were so close to the fort. And
during the few minutes he walked
along the banks and sc0wled at the
rugged shore over the stream the fate
OF an army and Of continent were
decided.
felt q great regret that the ridge
road was not followed. but ! fully be.
lieved the river road would, at the
most, cost some lives It was not
given to the Onondaga, nor even to
the witch-girl, to read the next few
hours.
II was near. midday before we got
in motion. Gist was already out with
the Delawares. Round Paw, Cron,it
and took to the woods together, but
quickly separated and secuted toward
Turtle creek. When we came back to
camp that night we made the. same
report mo signs OF any enemy In
dams In numbers. Our Delawares had
exchanged shots. with few French
Indians but no scalps were brought In.
During. the day the army had fol.
lowed the valley Of Long Run for
distance of about eight miles In q
southwesterly course, so slowly did we
move, and had made camp on the slope
between the Monongahela and q rivu-
let called Crooked Run. Throughout
the night the wagons kept coming IN.
In the morning-July eighth--Col-
Opel Washington arrived and insisted
on exchanging the covered wagon for
q horse. He showed his illness very
plainly and was not fit to be In the
saddle. He was young man, younger
Man l. and yet his face was very
grave. saw him when he went to
participate in a council with the COM
6der and the field officers. was
waiting near when he came from the
conference in company with Sir Peter
Halket. Sir Peters visage was very
melancholy and not good for the reg
ulars to see. The two Of them ended
their conversation close by me, and as
I was there first there was no rea-
son why | should plug my ears.
Sir Peter said:
Il urged upon him to have every
foot of the ground examined, and You
heard what he replied; that he re-
fused to lose time beating the forest
for red Indians as Highland hunters
beat the woods In driving out game
But, methinks, we could well take a
lesson from these same Highland
hunters"
1T will be a great fault II we do
not seize the fords, at the least, said
Colonel Washington. Even were that
done there will remain much danger.
The French will never abandon Du-
Quesne without making a fight. But
we must have good courage. The
French Indians do not want to fight.
Out only danger will be in a panic
Selling upon the regulars"
"You may dismiss that fear" Sir
Peter haughtily replied. "His Maj
esty's Guards know their duty too well,
thank Godl II the provincials will
hold, there need be no fear concern.
Ing the soldierly qualities Of the
Guards"
II am convinced the proyincials will
hold. Sir Peter" crisply assured Col
onel Washington.
Thereupon they parted with cere-
monious bows, and Colonel Washing
ton beheld me for the first time. He
greeted me warmly, as an old friend.
I had to tell him my experience as o
guest of Captain Beaujeu, and he re-
0uested me to repeat what the cap
tain had said about laying an ambus-
cade at the crossings. When ! had
finished, he said: N
ut does look as II the indians are
falling him at the last moment. Our
scouts report there are no signs Of
Indians at either crossing. There's
nothing to hinder rs 'seizing both
lords now. And yet we should al
ways beware Of the enemy. Better
overrate him thaE to underrate him.
We'll, Webster, take good care Of your
self II the impossible does happen,
INST befthe colonials who hold the
2 back until the regulars can get
hearings"
he shook my hand and his
was hot with fever. He was
eAk and his gaze wandered to his
lowered wagon. l bluntly told him,
.sYou should be in bed, sir.p
Excellent advice, Doctor Brond.
\ inasmpch as rest Is hard come BY
when the wagon Is IN motion" His
attempt at jocosity was rather pitabIe