Then they pushed on again, but with the utmost slowness.

With supreme difficulty they made an elaborate road over the mountains as they marched, and did not reach the Little Meadows until June 16.

Then at last Braddock turned to his young aide for the counsel which had already been proffered and rejected many times.

Washington advised the division of the army, so that the main body could hurry forward in light marching order while a detachment remained behind and brought up the heavy baggage.

This plan was adopted, and the army started forward, still too heavily burdened, as Washington thought, but in somewhat better trim for the wilderness than before.