Already war was in preparation without regard to the claims of these humble allies, who were destined ere long to die out before might and the presence of a superior race.

The French commander in the valley of the Ohio, M.de Contrecoeur, was occupied with preparations for defence, when he learned that a considerable body of English troops were marching against him under the orders of Colonel Washington.

He immediately despatched M.de Jumonville with thirty men to summon the English to retire and to evacuate French territory.

At break of day on the 18th of May, 1754, Washington's men surprised Jumonville's little encampment.

The attack was unexpected; it is not known whether the French envoy had time to convey the summons with which he had been charged; he was killed, together with nine men of his troops.