Washington left Williamsburg on the thirty-first day of October, 1753. He proceeded to Fredericksburg, where Van Braam joined him, thence to Alexandria and Winchester for supplies and horses, but did not arrive at Will's Creek, where Mr. Gist and others of the party were found, until Nov. 14.
"Now we must depend on you, Mr. Gist, to pilot us through the wilderness," said Washington. "My knowledge of the way ends about where yours begins, I suspect; so we shall commit ourselves to your care."
"Well, I shall take a straight course to Frazier's, on the Monongahela River," answered Gist.
"And who is Frazier?" inquired Washington.
"He is an Indian trader, who lives at the mouth of Turtle Creek."
"Well acquainted with the country, I suppose he is," suggested Washington.
"He ought to be, for he has been at his business several years, and is an intelligent, responsible man."
"Such a man as we need to see, I should think," continued Washington; "so I agree to follow you to Frazier's without a single objection."
"A storm is brewing, and will soon be upon us," said Mr. Gist. "I fear that a hard time awaits us."
"I expect as much as that," replied Washington. "Such a journey as we propose can be no child's play at any season of the year."
That a storm impeded their progress is quite evident from Washington's journal:
"The excessive rains and vast quantity of snow which had fallen prevented our reaching Mr. Frazier, the Indian trader's, until Thursday, the 22d."
"The French general is dead," was the first announcement of Mr. Frazier, on learning the object of the expedition.
"What!" exclaimed Washington, "General Pierre Paul?"
"Yes; messengers have been sent to the Indian traders down the river announcing his death, and the return of the major part of the army into winter quarters," answered Frazier.
"A sudden death, no doubt, and it must necessitate some change in the present plans of the French," remarked Washington.
"Doubtless," replied Frazier. "He died on the twenty-ninth day of October, nearly a month ago. It will not affect your business, however."
"No; but this torrent will," answered Washington, alluding to the impassable waters of the Monongahela, which the rains had swollen to a flood.