288 The Wilderness Hunter 



become contemptible when indulged in while the 

 nation is at death-grips with her enemies. 



It was not in Washington's strong nature to make 

 such an error. Nor yet, on the other hand, was 

 he likely to undervalue either the pleasure, or the 

 real worth of outdoor sports. The qualities of heart, 

 mind and body, which made him delight in the 

 hunting-field, and which he there exercised and de- 

 veloped, stood him in good stead in many a long 

 campaign and on many a stricken field ; they helped 

 to build that stern capacity for leadership in war 

 which he showed alike through the bitter woe of 

 the winter at Valley Forge, on the night when he 

 ferried his men across the half-frozen Delaware to 

 the overthrow of the German mercenaries at Tren- 

 ton, and in the brilliant feat of arms whereof the 

 outcome was the decisive victory of Yorktown. 



