Presently a tall, slightly-built young man, with a pleasant but resolute face, came riding along, and checked his horse close to where James was standing.  James noticed that the men on sentry, who had, for the most part, been sitting down on fallen logs of wood, bales, or anything else which came handy; with their muskets across their knees, or leaning beside them; got up and began pacing to and fro, with some semblance of military position.

“Who is that young man?” he asked a teamster standing by.

“That is Colonel Washington,” the man replied, “one of the smartest of the colonial officers.”

“Why, he only looks two or three and twenty,” James said in surprise.

“He is not more than that,” the man said; “but age don’t go for much here, and Colonel Washington is adjutant general of the Virginian militia.  Only a few months back, he made a journey with despatches, right through the forests to the French station at Port de Beuf, and, since then, he has been in command of the party which went out to build a fort, at the forks of the Ohio, and had some sharp fighting with the French.  A wonderful smart young officer they say he is, just as cool, when the bullets are flying, as if sitting on horseback.”

James resolved, at once, that he would speak to Colonel Washington, and ask him if he could join the Virginian militia.  He accordingly went up to him, and touched his hat.

“If you please, sir, I am anxious to join the Virginian militia, and, as they tell me that you are adjutant general, I have come to ask you if I can do so.”

“I see no difficulty in it, my lad,” the colonel said; “but if you have run away from home, in search of adventure, I should advise you to go back again, for we are likely to have heavy work.”

“I don’t mind that, sir, and I have not run away.  I am English.  I was pressed on board a frigate, and was brought over here, but my friends in England procured my discharge, which came for me here, a fortnight after my arrival.  They are, I believe, about to obtain for me a commission in a king’s regiment; but, as I was here, I thought that I should like to see some service, as it may be some months before I hear that I have got my commission.  I would rather if I could join as a volunteer, as I do not want pay, my friends having supplied me amply with money.”

“You seem to be a lad of spirit,” Colonel Washington said, “and I will at once put you in the way of doing what you desire.  You shall join the Virginian corps as a volunteer.  Have you money enough to buy a horse?”

“Yes, plenty,” Jim said.  “I have two hundred pounds.”

“Then you had better leave a hundred and fifty, at least, behind you,” the colonel said.  “I will direct you to a trader here, with whom you can bank it.  You can get an excellent horse for twenty pounds.  I asked you because, if you like, I can attach you to myself.  I often want a mounted messenger; and, of course, as a volunteer, you would mess with me.”