d of Colonel Fry, who had died on the way,
and Washington was now made commander of the joint forces of about three
hundred men.

The French finished their fort, which they called Duquesne (doo-cane).
Then about nine hundred French and Indians attacked Washington. The
English fought bravely, but Half King and his men deserted Washington.
Being greatly outnumbered, he was obliged to surrender.

Colonel Washington led his beaten and discouraged men home, trying to
cheer them while sharing their hardships. The campaign, fought against
such odds, had not been successful, but Washington was publicly thanked
for his bravery and hard work.

He resigned his commission and went to look after his mother's affairs.
He soon settled at Mount Vernon and began work on his farm. His greatest
desire was to devote himself to country life, but he was needed too much
by the colony to be allowed to live as a private man.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER II

WASHINGTON APPOINTED A MEMBER OF GEN. BRADDOCK'S STAFF--FRENCH AND
INDIAN WAR--WASHINGTON MADE COMMANDER OF VIRGINIA FORCES--CAUSES OF
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION--WASHINGTON A MEMBER OF THE FIRST
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS--1755-1775

Early in the following year (1775), England sent out General Braddock
and a thousand soldiers, trained in battle, to take Fort Duquesne and
drive the French from the Ohio Valley. Washington was appointed a member
of his staff.

[Illustration: The Indians fell upon their flanks]

General Braddock was a brave and experienced soldier, but he knew
nothing of warfare in a new country, amid great forests and savage foes.
He knew but one way to fight, which he had learned in the orderly camps
and wide fields of Europe, and felt that nobody could defeat his
well-drilled soldiers. He thought Washington too young to give advice,
and paid no attention to what he said. He looked with contempt upon the
queerly dressed, untrained Virginia troops, whom he called "raw
recruits." Instead of being friendly and generous with the Indians,
Braddock treated them coldly and they left him.

With much difficulty, the army and its supplies were brought over the
mountains and approached Fort Duquesne early in July. As they drew near
it, Braddock's men put on their scarlet uniforms and forded the river,
with bands playing and colors flying. It was the first time Washington
ever saw a regular, well-disciplined army and he enjoyed the sight,
although he wondered