He next collected dry bark from the under side of the fallen tree, and by breaking off its dead and well-seasoned limbs secured several large armfuls of wood.

Then taking from his leathern bullet-pouch a piece of greased rag, kept there to wrap bullets in before ramming them in the barrel, he placed it in the "pan" of his rifle.

Does the reader know what the "pan" of a rifle is?
If not he knows nothing of flintlock guns, and I must explain.

Before the invention of percussion caps, guns were provided with a little groove-shaped trough by the side of the powder chamber.

From this "pan" as it was called, a little hole led into the charge.