and he as good a gentleman as any in it. "Yes, he is mighty well
for a provincial, upon my word. He was beat at Fort What-d'ye-call-um
last year, down by the Thingamy river. What's the name on't, Talmadge?"

"The Lord knows, sir," says Talmadge; "and I dare say the Postmaster,
too, who is laughing at us both."

"Oh, Captain!"

"Was caught in a regular trap. He had only militia and Indians with him.
Good day, Mr. Washington. A pretty nag, sir. That was your first affair,
last year?"

"That at Fort Necessity? Yes, sir," said the gentleman, gravely
saluting, as he rode up, followed by a couple of natty negro grooms,
in smart livery-coats and velvet hunting-caps. "I began ill, sir, never
having been in action until that unlucky day."

"You were all raw levies, my good fellow. You should have seen our
militia run from the Scotch, and be cursed to them. You should have had
some troops with you."

"Your Excellency knows 'tis my passionate desire to see and serve with
them," said Mr. Washington.

"By George, we shall try and gratify you, sir," said the General, with
one of his usual huge oaths; and on the heavy carriage rolled towards
Castlewood; Mr. Washington asking leave to gallop on ahead, in order to
announce his Excellency's speedy arrival to the lady there.

The progress of the Commander-in-Chief was so slow, that several
humbler persons who were invited to meet his Excellency came up with
his carriage, and, not liking to pass the great man on the road, formed
quite a procession in the dusty wake of his chariot-wheels. First
came Mr. Dinwiddie, the Lieutenant-Governor of his Majesty's province,
attended by his negro servants, and in company of Parson Broadbent, the
jolly Williamsburg chaplain. These were presently joined by little Mr.
Dempster, the young gentlemen's schoolmaster, in his great Ramillies
wig, which he kept for occasions of state. Anon appeared Mr. Laws, the
judge of the court, with Madam Laws on a pillion behind him, and their
negro man carrying a box containing her ladyship's cap, and bestriding
a mule. The procession looked so ludicrous, that Major Danvers and Mr.
Franklin espying it, laughed outright, though not so loud as to disturb
his Excellency, who was asleep by this time, bade the whole of this
queer rearguard move on, and leave the Commander-in-Chief and his
escort of dragoons to follow at their leisure. There was room for all at
Castlewood when they came. There was meat, drink, and the