Before choosing it, Captain Rogers placed a bit of paper against a tree, and fired several shots at various distances at it.
"It is a beautiful rifle," he said.

"Its only fault is that it is rather heavy, but it shoots all the better for it.

It is evidently a French gun, I should say by a first-rate maker, built probably for some French officer who knew what he was about.

It is a good workmanlike piece, and, when you learn to hold it straight, you can trust it to shoot." That evening James, having made all his preparations, said goodbye to the general and to his other friends, and joined the scouts who were gathering by the shore of the lake.

Ten canoes, each of which would carry three men, were lying by the shore.
"Nat, you and Jonathan will take this young fellow with you.