ou will
forbear prosecuting a purpose so interruptive of the harmony and
good understanding which his Majesty is desirous to continue and
cultivate with the most Christian king. ROBERT DINWIDDIE.

IX.

MISSION TO THE FRENCH.

Washington left Williamsburg on the thirty-first day of October, 1753.
He proceeded to Fredericksburg, where Van Braam joined him, thence to
Alexandria and Winchester for supplies and horses, but did not arrive at
Will's Creek, where Mr. Gist and others of the party were found, until
Nov. 14.

"Now we must depend on you, Mr. Gist, to pilot us through the
wilderness," said Washington. "My knowledge of the way ends about where
yours begins, I suspect; so we shall commit ourselves to your care."

"Well, I shall take a straight course to Frazier's, on the Monongahela
River," answered Gist.

"And who is Frazier?" inquired Washington.

"He is an Indian trader, who lives at the mouth of Turtle Creek."

"Well acquainted with the country, I suppose he is," suggested
Washington.

"He ought to be, for he has been at his business several years, and is
an intelligent, responsible man."

"Such a man as we need to see, I should think," continued Washington;
"so I agree to follow you to Frazier's without a single objection."

"A storm is brewing, and will soon be upon us," said Mr. Gist. "I fear
that a hard time awaits us."

"I expect as much as that," replied Washington. "Such a journey as we
propose can be no child's play at any season of the year."

That a storm impeded their progress is quite evident from Washington's
journal:

"The excessive rains and vast quantity of snow which had fallen
prevented our reaching Mr. Frazier, the Indian trader's, until Thursday,
the 22d."

"The French general is dead," was the first announcement of Mr. Frazier,
on learning the object of the expedition.

"What!" exclaimed Washington, "General Pierre Paul?"

"Yes; messengers have been sent to the Indian traders down the river
announcing his death, and the return of the major part of the army into
winter quarters," answered Frazier.

"A sudden death, no doubt, and it must necessitate some change in the
present plans of the French," remarked Washington.

"Doubtless," replied Frazier. "He died on the twenty-ninth day of
October, nearly a month ago. It will not affect your business, however."

"No; but this torrent will," answered Washington, alluding to the
impassable waters of th