His color was ruddy and high, showing one who lived out of doors almost all the time.
The man, Robert soon learned, was the young officer, George Washington, who had commanded the Virginians in the first skirmish with the French and Indians in the Ohio country.
"One of most grave and sober mien," said Grosvenor.

"I take him to be of fine quality." "There can scarce be a doubt of it," said Robert.
But he did not dream then that succeeding generations would reckon the horseman the first man of all time.
Robert, Willet and Tayoga saw the governor, Dinwiddie, a thrifty Scotchman, and offered to him their services, saying that they wished to go with the Braddock expedition as scouts.
"But I should think, young sir," said Dinwiddie to Robert, "that you, at least, would want a commission.

'Twill be easy to obtain it in the Virginia troops." "I thank you, sir, for the offer, which is very kind," said Robert, "but I have spent a large part of my life in the woods with Mr.Willet, and I feel that I can be of more use as a scout and skirmisher.

You know that they will be needed badly in the forest.
Moreover, Mr.Willet would not be separated from Tayoga, who in the land of the Six Nations, known to themselves as the Hodenosaunee, is a great figure." Governor Dinwiddie regarded the Onondaga, who gave back his gaze steadily.

The shrewd Scotchman knew that here stood a man, and he treated him as one.
"Have your way," he said.