"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." "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."