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As I was escorting the Frenchman back to our boats he quickly ran away from me, though I snapped my fire-lock at him, which failed to explode, it having become wet from the rain. Afterwards I heard that a Ranger had shot him, seeing him running in the bush. We went back to our boats after this victory and took all our wounded and dead with us, which last we buried on an island.
"In the King's name," said Brilliana, heroically, "go forth and ransack this rebellious gentleman's house for arms." Master Peter snorted sceptically. "Arms! I think he hath none but an old rusty fire-lock and a breast and back that have seen better days." Brilliana beamed on him, a yielding sphinx. "But then, supposing you should pick up some plate on the way, some gold plate by chance "
This is what war demands, and the morality of your catechisms has no place in it. War puts its trust in the strong arm, the sword, and the fire-lock alone. Speak, fellow! why would you not shoot that Swede?
Distance and the darkness together rendered the vision indistinct; but Roland could see that the form was human, that it moved onwards with rapid strides, and with its countenance bent upon the earth, or upon another moving object, dusky and of lesser size, that rolled before it, guiding the way, like the bowl of the dervise in the Arabian story; and, finally, that it held in its hands, as if on the watch for an enemy, an implement wondrously like the fire-lock of a human fighting-man.
So back to Albany I started, and there met Major Rogers, whom I acquainted with my desire to again join his service, whereat he seemed right glad to put me downe. I accordingly journeyed to Crown Point, where I went into camp. I had bought me a new fire-lock at Albany which was provided with a bayonet. It was short, as is best fitted for the bush, and about 45 balls to the pound.
The rude fire-lock of the country, with its absurdly long barrel and wheel-lock, answers well enough at short range, and proves highly influential in bringing about a speedy decision without the assistance of returning boards and electoral commissions. The villages have rarely more than two or three thousand souls, and cover but a few acres.
With his pretensions at being an artist, he worked only when he had to repair a fire-lock, to transform a flintlock into a rifle, or to make one of those silver decorated pistols which were the admiration of the Little Chaplain. The boy hoped that this man would be his sister's choice; that the vèrro, with his astonishing skill, would become a member of his family.
Jerry Bird was in one of the boats of the Empress, and catching sight of the pirate captain, he exclaimed, "Why, as I'm alive, that's no other than our friend Jonathan Jull! Hallo, Mr Jull, knock under; it's no use holding out!" A fire-lock aimed at Jerry's head was the only answer made by the pirate chief.
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