From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 79
liquors in order to overcome them. This device would have succeeded, as the Indians loved rum, but for
Washington's emphatic protest. He charged the French officers with base efforts to hinder his mission, and
forbade half-king, with imposing threats, to touch the liquor. In this way he succeeded in his purpose to start
on his return journey.
Just before starting, however, White Thunder received an injury, making it necessary for half-king to stay
over with him until the next day, and take him down the river in a canoe.
"Captain Joncaire will have a good opportunity to bribe you," suggested Washington.
"Never," replied the half-king; "I know the French better than you do. I am a friend to the English."
"But Captain Joncaire is a plausible Frenchman, and he will do his best to influence you," retorted
Washington. "You must be guarded against his fair speech."
The result of this interview was, that the whole party waited for White Thunder until the next day.
The hardships of the return journey exceeded by far their previous experience, as indicated by Washington's
journal:
"We had a tedious and very fatiguing passage down the creek. Several times we had liked to have been staved
against rocks, and many times were obliged all hands to get out and remain in the water half an hour or more,
getting over the shoals. At one place the ice had lodged, and made it impassable by water; we were therefore
obliged to carry our canoe across the neck of land, a quarter of a mile over. We did not reach Venango until
the 22d, where we met with our horses.
"This creek is extremely crooked. I dare say the distance between the fort and Venango cannot be less than
one hundred and thirty miles, to follow the meanders."
At Venango the horses, which Currin took there by land, were met, and the men relieved them by distributing
the baggage among themselves in packs. In this way they traveled three days, the snow all the while
increasing, and the horses becoming weaker and weaker. Washington saw that to keep with the party would
delay his arrival at Williamsburg until the House of Burgesses had adjourned, which would be a
disappointment to the public, as well as to the governor. If possible, the governor should receive his report
before the adjournment of the Assembly.
"There is only one way for us to go Mr. Gist," said Washington; "you and I must strike right through the
wilderness alone, leaving the party to reach there as best they can. My report will be too late if we plod along
in this way."
"It may be later if we undertake so perilous an adventure alone," responded Gist. "There is not one chance in
ten of our ever reaching Williamsburg in that way."
"You are too fearful altogether," replied Washington. "I think you and I are equal to the undertaking. No
doubt we shall have a rough time of it, but we are used to that; it will be no novelty to us."
"I shall abide by your decision," added Gist, "for you are commander of this expedition, and my duty is to
obey. But I believe that both of us will repent of ever undertaking such an adventure."
"Well, then, I will take the responsibility," said Washington, "and you and I will take the nearest and quickest
route home."