At the time fixed for their return, Washington found the snow falling so fast that he decided to make his journey to Venango by canoe, the horses, which they had used in the outward journey, being forwarded through the forest with their baggage.  St. Pierre was civil to the last.  He was as hospitable as polite.  The canoe was plentifully stocked with provisions and liquors.  But secretly artifices were practised to lure away the Indians.  The Half-King was a man whose friendship was worth bidding for.  Promises were made, present were given, the Indians were offered every advantage of friendship and trade.

But the Half-King was not to be placated by fine words.  He knew the French.  Delay was occasioned, however, of which Washington complained, and hinted at the cause.

“You are certainly mistaken, Major Washington,” declared the polite Frenchman.  “Nothing of the kind has come to my knowledge.  I really cannot tell why the Indians delay.  They are naturally inclined to procrastinate, you know.  Certainly, everything shall be done on my part to get you off in good time.”

Finally, the Indians proving immovable in their decision, the party got off.  The journey before them was no pleasure one, even with the advantage of a water-route, and a canoe as a vehicle of travel.  Rocks and drifting trees obstructed the channel.  Here were shallows; there, dangerous currents.  The passage was slow and wearisome, and not without its perils.

“Many times,” says Washington, “all hands were obliged to get out, and remain in the water half an hour or more in getting over the shoals.  At one place the ice had lodged and made it impassable by water, and we were obliged to carry our canoe across a neck of land a quarter of a mile over.”

In six days they reached Venango, having journeyed one hundred and thirty miles by the course of the stream.  The horses had preceded them, but had reached the fort in so pitiable a condition as to render them hardly fit to carry the baggage and provisions.  Washington, Mr. Gist, and Mr. Vanbraam, the French interpreter, clad in Indian walking costume, proceeded on foot, the horses following with their drivers.  After three days’ journey the poor animals had become so feeble, the snow so deep, the cold so severe, that Washington and Gist determined to push forward alone, leaving Mr. Vanbraam as leader of the remainder of the party.

Gun in hand, and knapsack—­containing his food and papers—­on back, the intrepid explorer pushed forward with his companion, who was similarly equipped.  Leaving the path they had been following, they struck into a straight trail through the woods, purposing to reach the Alleghany a few miles above the Ohio.

The journey proved an adventurous one.  They met an Indian, who agreed to go with them and show them the nearest way.  Ten or twelve miles were traversed, at the end of which Washington grew very foot-sore and weary.  The Indian had carried his knapsack, and now wished to relieve him of his gun.  This Washington refused, whereupon the savage grew surly.  He pressed them to keep on, however, saying that there were Ottawa Indians in the forest, who might discover and scalp them if they lay out at night.  By going on they would reach his cabin and be safe.