Irving says of him as a surveyor: "In this he schooled himself thoroughly; making surveys about the neighborhood, and keeping regular field-books, in which the boundaries and measurements of the fields surveyed were carefully entered, and diagrams made with a neatness and exactness, as if the whole related to important land transactions instead of being mere school exercises. Thus, in his earliest days, there was perseverance and completeness in all his undertakings. Nothing was left half done, or done in a hurried and slovenly manner. The habit of mind thus cultivated continued through life; so that however complicated his tasks and overwhelming his cares, in the arduous and hazardous situations in which he was often placed, he found time to do everything, and _to do it well_. He had acquired the magic of method, which of itself works wonders." One day a dispute arose between two pupils respecting a chapter of Virginia's early history--Captain Smith and Pocahontas. "She saved his life," exclaimed one. "Very true; but she was not the daughter of King Opechancanough, as you say," replied the other. "Whose daughter was she, then?" "She was Powhattan's daughter; and her father was going to kill Captain Smith." "No, she was not Powhattan's daughter; I tell you that Opechancanough was her father," rejoined the other with some warmth. "And I tell you that Powhattan was her father, and Opechancanough was her uncle. If you can't recite history more correctly than that you had better keep still. Anybody knows that Pocahontas was the daughter of Powhattan; and he was the greatest Indian chief in Virginia." "And you are a conceited, ignorant fellow, to suppose that nobody knows anything but yourself." And so the dispute became more heated, until both parties were greatly excited; whereupon a listening school-mate called out: "Leave it to George; he will settle it." "Agreed!" responded one. "Agreed!" shouted the other. And George was called in to settle the controversy, both parties acquiescing in his decision. George often acted as umpire among the boys in Mr. Williams' school. Sometimes, as in the above instance, both parties chose him for umpire. Their confidence in his word and judgment led them to submit cases of trial or controversy to him, whether relating to studies or games. Many disputes were thus brought to a speedy termination by his discriminating and candid judgment. Mr. Weems says of him at this time: