army that he asked, and returned by the way
of the "White House" on the Pamunkey River, where Mrs. Custis lived in
English style. How long he stopped there we have no means of learning;
but long enough to consummate a treaty of love, in which it was
stipulated that she should become his bride when the expedition against
Duquesne had been brought to a close.

In this affair Washington proved himself to be a true son of Adam and
brother in our common humanity. He who is too great to be insensible to
womanly charms and virtues, and too cold in his nature to love, cannot
have an important mission to perform in this world.

On his return to Winchester he found that the English officers were
discussing the practicability of making a new road to Duquesne, or, at
least, from Raystown to Duquesne by the way of Laurel Hill.

"Better march thither by the old road which General Braddock
constructed," suggested Washington.

"His road did not lead him to victory," answered one of the officers
naively.

"Neither will a new road, if that is all you have to depend upon,"
remarked Washington. "The difficulties of making a new road through this
rough country are so great that such an enterprise should not be
undertaken unless it is absolutely necessary."

"We came to this country for such business whenever it is necessary,"
said General Forbes, commander of the expedition.

"Exactly; but a new road is not necessary to make this expedition
against Duquesne a success."

"How is that?"

"Because it will consume so much time that winter will be upon us before
we can reach the fort. An early movement on the old roads is far more
desirable, in my judgment, than a late one on a new road."

"But you do not consider that the king's regulars are experienced in
such work, and they will not require the time which the provincial
troops do to complete such a piece of work."

"Perhaps so," replied Washington in a doubtful tone, as if he recalled
the old boast of the English generals about the might of their regulars.
He had seen enough of these boasted heroes in the former expedition
against Duquesne to cause him to decidedly prefer provincial troops.

"Besides," continued General Forbes, "the report of General Braddock to
his government describes the old road as fearful, in consequence of
dense forests, huge rocks, deep morasses, and plunging torrents."

"None of these things caused his defeat," remarked Washington in rather
a sarcastic