r to say a pleasant word to an old acquaintance as he did
to Solomon.

That day in June when the beloved Virginian was chosen to be
Commander-in-Chief of the American forces, Jack and Solomon dined with
Franklin at his home. John Adams of Boston and John Brown, the great
merchant of Providence, were his other guests. The distinguished men
were discussing the choice of Colonel Washington.

"I think that Ward is a greater soldier," said Brown. "Washington has
done no fighting since '58. Our battles will be in the open. He is a
bush fighter."

"True, but he is a fighter and, like Achilles, a born master of men,"
Franklin answered. "His fiery energy saved Braddock's army from being
utterly wiped out. His gift for deliberation won the confidence of
Congress. He has wisdom and personality. He can express them in calm
debate or terrific action. Above all, he has a sense of the oneness of
America. Massachusetts and Georgia are as dear to him as Virginia."

"He is a Christian gentleman of proved courage and great sagacity,"
said Adams. "His one defeat proved him to be the master of himself.
It was a noble defeat."

Doctor Franklin, who never failed to show some token of respect for
every guest at his table, turned to Solomon and said:

"Major Binkus, you have been with him a good deal. What do you think
of Colonel Washington?"

"I think he's a hull four hoss team an' the dog under the waggin," said
Solomon.

John Adams often quoted these words of the scout and they became a
saying in New England.

"To ask you a question is like priming a pump," said Franklin, as he
turned to Solomon with a laugh. "Washington is about four times the
average man, with something to spare and that something is the dog
under the wagon. It would seem that the Lord God has bred and prepared
and sent him among us to be chosen. We saw and knew and voted. There
was no room for doubt in my mind."

"And while I am a friend of Ward, I am after all convinced that
Washington is the man," said Brown. "Nothing so became him as when he
called upon all gentlemen present to remember that he thought himself
unequal to the task."

Washington set out in June with Colonel Lee and a company of Light
Horse for Boston where some sixteen thousand men had assembled with
their rifles and muskets to be organized into an army for the defense
of Massachusetts.

2

A little later Jack and Solomon followed with eight horses and two
wagons