ty men. The Colonial troops then resumed the Indian fashion of
fighting from behind trees, which provoked Braddock, who had had five
horses killed under him in three hours, to storm at them and strike them
with his sword. At this moment he was fatally wounded, and many of his
men now fled away from the hopeless action, not waiting to hear their
general's fainting order to retreat. Washington had had two horses
killed and received three bullets through his coat. Being the only
mounted officer who was not disabled, he drew up the troops still on the
field, directed their retreat, maintaining himself at the rear with
great coolness and courage, and brought away his wounded general.
Sixty-four British and American officers, and nearly one thousand
privates, were killed or wounded in this battle, while the total French
and Indian loss was not over sixty. A few prisoners captured by the
Indians were brought to Pittsburgh and burnt at the stake. Four days
after the fight Braddock died, exclaiming to the last, "Who would have
thought it!"

VI

Despondency seized the English settlers after Braddock's defeat. But two
years afterward William Pitt became prime minister, and he thrilled the
nation with his appeal to protect the Colonies against France and the
savages.

[Illustration: William Pitt, Earl of Chatham]

William Pitt, the great Earl of Chatham, the man for whom our city is
named, was one of the most indomitable characters in the statesmanship
of modern times. Born in November, 1708, he was educated at Eton and at
Oxford, then traveled in France and Italy, and was elected to Parliament
when twenty-seven years old. His early addresses were not models either
of force or logic, but the fluent speech and many personal attractions
of the young orator instantly caught the attention of the people, who
always listened to him with favor; and it was not long before his
constant participation in public affairs developed the splendid talents
which he possessed. Wayward and affected in little things, Pitt attacked
the great problems of government with the bold confidence of a master
spirit, impressing the clear genius of his leadership upon the yearning
heart of England in every emergency of peace or war. Too great to be
consistent, he never hesitated to change his tactics or his opinion when
the occasion developed the utility of another course. Ordinary men have
been more faithful to asserted principles, but no statesman more
f