Even the stern Rogers himself unbends when he is near.

He has been the very life of our party since he has joined us." Fritz soon found that this was no exaggeration.

Howe was a splendid comrade and Ranger, full of courage, the hardiest of the hardy, never failing in spirits whatever were the hardships of the life, and showing such aptitude for generalship and command that already he had made his mark amongst the hardy Rangers, and was entrusted with enterprises of difficulty and danger.
It was not much that could be done against the foe with the inclement winter season approaching.

The snow fell early.

The Canadians and regulars had gone into winter quarters; but there was still a garrison in Ticonderoga, and to harass and despoil that garrison was the pastime of the Rangers.