There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad-free.

Listen with Wondry Plus in the Wondry app.

As a member of NoisorPlus at noisor.com or in Apple Podcasts,

or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at IntoHistory.com.

It's just after sunset on December 29, 1753.

21-year-old Major George Washington stands on a raft in the middle of the Allegheny River in what is now western Pennsylvania. His legs wobble as he struggles to

find his balance, and for a brief moment he thinks he's about to topple into the icy water.

Washington steadies himself on the setting pole he's using to push the raft across the river.

Washington glances behind and flashes a reassuring smile at Christopher Gist, his guide on this special mission

into the American wilderness. Two months ago, Washington's military career began when he joined

the Virginia militia and swore an oath to serve the British crown. He was then dispatched from

Virginia to deliver a message to French colonists demanding that they withdraw from

the Ohio River Valley, land the British considered theirs. But when he arrived, Washington discovered

the French had already constructed a fort and showed no intention of leaving. So now he is rushing back

home to report his findings. But it's getting dark, and Washington wants to reach the safety of the far bank before nightfalls.

So he places the setting pole onto the riverbed and pushes again, causing the raft to move forward a few inches.

And he lifts the pole and places it against an icy rock, protruding from the water, and pushes again. But the rock moves. Washington wobbles,

struggling to keep his feet, and then realizes it's not a rock at all, but a chunk of dirty

ice floating on the surface of the river. Unable to keep his balance, Washington topples forward

and falls headfirst into the water.

His heavy clothes pull him under the surface. He flails and kicks about in desperation.

He feels himself blacking out, but then a hand reaches from above and grabs his coat.

...