work properly."

Lord Fairfax smiled slightly as he looked down at his companion. He was
apt to be somewhat amused at Washington's serious modesty. "I'll show
you the plans after dinner. I almost wish I could go out there with
you."

They were now nearing Belvoir, and the man put spurs to his horse and
dashed across the intervening fields. The boy followed close behind,
sitting his horse to perfection. Just before they reached Belvoir they
came to a high hedge. Lord Fairfax put his horse at it and went flying
over. A second later George had followed him. There was no feat of
horsemanship to which he was not equal.

A little later dinner was served in the big dining-room at Belvoir. Lord
Fairfax had his brother's family living with him, and with one or two
friends who were apt to be staying at the house they made quite a large
party. The long polished mahogany table gleamed with silver and glass.
Candles on it and in sconces about the white paneled walls shed a
pleasant lustre over the dinner party.

It was a time when men and women paid great attention to dress. The
ladies wore light flowered gowns, and the men brilliant coats and
knee-breeches, with lace stocks and white powdered hair. Their manners
were of the courts of Europe, polished in the extreme, and they had all
been trained to make an art of conversation. Negro servants waited on
the table, and the noble lord presided at its head with something of the
majesty of a medieval baron in his castle. There were young people
present, and George sat with them, paying gallant speeches to the girls
and telling stories of sport to the boys. He was a popular youth, having
a singularly gentle manner which made him a great favorite with those of
his own age.

After dinner Lord Fairfax took George to his study, and spread out the
plans of his western estate. He told the boy just where to go and what
to do, and George made notes in a small pocketbook, asking questions now
and then which showed a remarkable knowledge of the surveyor's work.

"When can you start?" Lord Fairfax asked, as he finished with the plans.

"At once," said the boy, "if mother can spare me, and I think she can."

"Good. I'd like another hunt with you before you go, but when there's
work afoot a man shouldn't tarry. The sooner you start the better."

A little later George was sleeping soundly in the guest-room
above-stairs dreaming of the adventures he hoped soon to have.

On a March day in 1748