106 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 
this: “Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of 
celestial fire called Conscience.” As a boy Washington was tall, 
active, and muscular, and could outwalk, outrun, and outride 
any of his companions. After finishing his studies Wash- 
ington went beyond the Blue Ridge in the valley of the Shen- 
andoah to survey the vast estate of his cousin Lord Fairfax. 
His work as a surveyor caused him 
to lead the rough life of the fron- 
tiersman. He was often wet and 
cold and hungry, and sometimes 
when he slept the only roof he had 
over his head was the stars. While 
in the wilderness beyond the moun- 
tains Washington foresaw that the 
English and the French were likely 
to fight for the possession of the 
Ohio valley, and he prepared himself 
for the coming struggle. He learned 
the art of war and took lessons in 
The French forts and Brad- fencing and sword exercises, At the 
dock’s campaign. : s 
age of nineteen he was appointed 
adjutant-general with the rank of major. So, in selecting young 
Washington to bear the message to the French governor, Din- 
widdie really chose about the most competent and suitable 
messenger that could have been found in all Virginia, 
The French commander received Washington kindly, but re- 
fused to give up the forts and politely hinted that it would be 
well if Governor Dinwiddie would attend to his own business. 
This reply mcant, of course, that if the English wanted the Ohio 
country they would have to fight for it, and this the Virginians 
at once prepared to do. The first thing to be done was to gain 
possession of the Forks of the Ohio. For this purpose Din- 
widdie, late in 1753, sent a party of men, under Captain William 
Trent, to the Forks, with orders to build a log fort there. In 
the spring of 1754 Washington, with three hundred men, was 
sent to the Forks to help Trent build the fort. But before 
Washington could reach the place the French had driven Trent