Weapons, Chapter 4 and The Americans Summary

In a section called "Weapons," Paulsen describes the essential rifle needed by every frontier family for hunting. These were relatively expensive items, but absolutely necessary. The British army at this time carried a musket called the "Brown Bess" It shot a ball that was not very accurate. The Brown Bess muskets were also fitted with bayonets, which were blades that fastened to the end of the barrel to act as a weapon.

In Chapter 4, Samuel is still hurrying as fast as possible to the settlement. As he nears it, he smells what he knows is the smell of death amid the smoke. The settlement has been burned down. He does not rush straight into the settlement in case the attacker are still present, but after he is sure nobody is still around he goes to...