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. 21.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 33
went two miles further. Then the Major said he
would stay at the next water, and we desired the
Indian to stop at the next water; but before /te came
to water, we came to a clear meadow. It was very
light, and snow was on the ground. The Indian made
a stop, and turned about. The Major saw him point
his gun towards us, and he fired. Said the Major,'Are you shot?'' No,' said I; upon which the Indian ran forward to a big standing white oak, and
began loading his gun, but we were soon with him.
I would have killed him, but the Major would not suffer me. We let him charge his gun. We found he
put in a ball; then we took care of him. Either the
Major or I always stood by the guns. We made him
make a fire for us by a little run, as if we intended to
sleep there. I said to the Major,'As you will not
have him killed, we must get him away, and then we
must travel all night'; upon which I said to the Indian,'I suppose you were lost, and fired your gun.'
He said he knew the way to his cabin, and it was
but a little way.'Well,' said I,'do you go home;
and, as we are tired, we will follow your track in the
morning, and here is a cake of bread for you, and
you must give us meat in the morning.' He was
glad to get away. I followed him, and listened, until
he was fairly out of the way; and then we went
about half a mile, when we made a fire, set our compass, fixed our course, and travelled all night. In the
morning we were on the head of Piny Creek."
Whether it was the intention of the Indian to kill
either of them can only be conjectured. The circumstances were extremely suspicious. Major Washington hints at this incident in his journal. " We
fell in with a party of French Indians," says he, "who
had lain in wait for us. One of them fired at Mr.
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