They'll do when thar's nothin' better to be had, but now powder an' lead kin be used to more advantage.

Besides they're outen range o' your smooth-bore now.

Come." As Fortner threw his rifle across his shoulder Harry looked at it curiously.

It had a long, heavy, six sided barrel, with a large bore, double triggers, and a gaily striped hickory ramrod in its thimbles.

The stock, of fine, curly rock-maple, was ornamented with silver stars and crescents, and in the breech were cunning little receptacles for tow and patches, and other rifle necessaries, each closed by a polished silver cover that shut with a snap.