From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 80
"Which may prove the longest, both in distance and time," retorted Gist.
Washington put the remainder of the party, together with the baggage and horses, into the care of Van Braam,
with instructions and money. He himself had traveled for three days in an "Indian's walking dress," but now
made a change described in his journal thus:
"I took my necessary papers, pulled off my clothes, and tied myself up in a watch-coat. Then, with gun in
hand and pack on my back, in which were my papers and provisions, I set out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same
manner, on Wednesday, the 26th."
They traveled eighteen miles on that day, and stopped for the night at an Indian cabin. Washington usually
traveled on horseback, so that he was unused to the hardships of such a journey on foot, and he was much
exhausted.
They arose at two o'clock in the morning to continue their journey. When they reached Murdering Town, they
fell in with an Indian who called Mr. Gist by name.
"I saw you at Venango," said the Indian.
Then Mr. Gist recognized him as an Indian whom he saw at Joncaire's in Venango, when they were on their
journey to the French fort, which fact made him somewhat suspicious of the redskin.
"I am glad to see you," insisted the Indian. "How does it happen that you are traveling on foot in this
direction?"
"Our business requires it," was Gist's short reply.
"When did you leave Venango?" the Indian continued.
Mr. Gist informed him.
"Where did you leave your horses and the rest of your party?"
Mr. Gist answered evasively.
"And where are you going?"
"To the forks of the Alleghany as direct as we can go," Washington answered. "Can you go with us and show
us the nearest way?"
"I can just as well as not," replied the Indian, "and I can take your pack along, too."
From this point Washington was considerably relieved by transferring his pack to the back of the savage.
They traveled very rapidly for ten miles, when Washington's feet grew sore, and he became very weary.
"You are taking us too much northeasterly," said Mr. Gist to the Indian, suspicious that he was intentionally
taking them out of their way.
"That is what I think," added Washington. "I am quite confident that we are bearing too much to the
northeast."
The truth was, that both Washington and Mr. Gist were suspicious that the Indian was proving treacherous,