The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

ET. 27-32.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 113
ity. He was expert in the art of duck-shooting, and
often practised it.
Connected with this subject, an anecdote is related
of him, illustrative of his resolution and courage. A.person of lawless habits and reckless character had
frequently entered upon the grounds near Mount Vernon, and shot ducks and other game. More than
once he had been warned to desist, and not to return.
It was his' custom to cross the Potomac in a canoe,
and ascend the creeks to some obscure place, where
he could be concealed from observation. One day,
hearing the discharge of a musket, Washington mounted his horse, and rode in the direction of the sound.
The intruder discovered his approach, and'had just
time to gain the canoe and push it from the shore,
when Washington emerged from the bushes at the*
distance of a few yards. The man raised his gun,
cocked it, pointed it at him, and took deliberate aim;
but, without a moment's hesitation, he rode into the
water, seized the prow of the canoe, drew it to land,
disarmed his antagonist, and inflicted on him a chastisement, which he never again chose to run the haz
ard of encountering.
But neither his private occupations, nor his important duties as one of the legislators of the province,
prevented Washington from taking an active part in
many concerns of less moment, wherein he could be
useful to his friends or the community. He assumed
trusts at the solicitation of others, which sometimes
involved much labor and responsibility, and in which
he had no personal interest; and cheerfully rendered
-his services as an arbitrator in settling disputes. Such
was the confidence in his candor and judgment, and
such his known desire to promote peace and concord,
that he was often called upon to perform offices of
VOL. I. 15 *