Page 378 - Third Book of Reading Lessons
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invaders. Vith those he covered the inhabitants om hostile encroachment, he won the con dence of the savage Indian, and conducted a dangerous and intricate negotiation r a suspension of hostilities.
5. But the durable preservation of peace depend ed not on the counsels of America; England and France transported their enmity to her shores, and covered our country with hostile array. England, con dent of her prowess and the discipline of her armies, would not commit the defence of her inter ests to raw provincials. Vashington's ardent soul su ered him not to remain behind in safety, while the security of his country was at stake. The hand of Providence led him rward, that he might add to his experience and native rtitude. He ught under Braddock; and that ill- ted commander hav ing paid by his death the tribute of his rashness his army dispirited by de at, and ying be re an enemy ushed with victory-1Yashington, in that perilous moment, gathered round him his rst com panions in arms, and rescued out of the jaws of death the remains of the vanquished battalions. He did more; be stood in the ont of danger, and every where opposing himself to the merciless savages, ready to burst as a dark cloud, aught with the thunderbolts of heaven, on a terri ed land, he avert
ed the storm, and restored to his trembling country the serenity of hope and peace.
6. The theatre of war was transported afterwards to distant provinces of America. Then the same all-wise Providence, which bad inured him to dan ger, prepared him r the toils of government, and the important duty of superintending in his riper years, the political administration of a great and
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