Not a tree or stump was left, within musket shot of the house, behind which an Indian could secrete himself.
Almost of necessity, under these circumstances, any bright, active boy would become a skilful marksman.

A small garden was cultivated where corn, beans and a few other vegetables were raised, but the main subsistence of the family consisted of the game with which forest, meadow and lake were stored.

The settler usually reared his cabin upon the banks of some stream alive with fishes.

There were no schools to take up the time of the boys; no books to read.

Wild geese, ducks and other water fowl, sported upon the bosom of the river or the lake, whose waters no paddle wheel or even keel disturbed.