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