which had come within his knowledge, those of Washington
could alone be depended upon."

Mr. Weems mentions George's connection with the family of Widow
Stevenson, with whom he made headquarters while surveying Frederick
County, which was then very large, embracing what is now Berkeley,
Jefferson, and Shenandoah Counties. She had seven sons, William,
Valentine, John, Hugh, Dick, James, and Mark, all stalwart fellows.
These seven young men, in Herculean size and strength, were equal,
perhaps, to any seven sons of any one mother in Christendom. This was a
family exactly to George's mind, because promising him an abundance of
that manly exercise in which he delighted.

"Come," said Valentine, "let us go out to the Green, and see who the
best man is."

The "Green" was an extended level field in front of the house, a nice
spot for jumping, wrestling, and other sports. By a trial to see which
was "the best man," Valentine meant to see who would excel in these
athletic exercises.

"Agreed," responded George, "I am tired enough to go to bed, but it
always rests me to test my strength."

It was just at night, and George had just come in from a trip of several
days. He came around to Mrs. Stevenson's as often as he could, though he
camped in the woods at night most of the time.

"That is so with me," said Dick. "I sleep better after an _Indian hug_,
or a few long leaps, or a hard run."

"Provided you beat," suggested John. "I don't believe that it
contributes much to your sleep when you are worsted."

"Don't sleep so soundly, perhaps," replied Dick, humorously. "It would
give me a pretty long nap to lay George on his back."

"Yes, I think it would," retorted George. "Perhaps you would never wake
up, you would be so happy and that would be a great pity."

"Well, come," urged William, who had been a close listener, "let us see
what we can do. It will get to be dark while we are talking."

And so they hurried away to the "Green" for sport. This was done again
and again during his stay with the Stevensons. Mr. Weems says:

"Here it was that George, after a hard day's toil at surveying, like a
young Greek training for the Olympic games, used to turn out with his
sturdy young companions, '_to see_,' as they termed it, '_which was the
best man_' at running, jumping, and wrestling. And so keen was their
passion for these sports, and so great their ambition to out-do one
another, that they would often keep them up, especiall