ts in style and actual errors in
grammar, in order that the reader may not be affected unfortunately by
the language, or be led to approve it as a style to be followed in these
modern days. This can be done by means of questions, and as an
illustration of the method we will consider the first four paragraphs of
the selection, beginning on page 37.

"There had been no war among us for so long that but few who were not
too old to bear arms knew anything about the business." Does the phrase
_among us_ mean that the settlers had not fought among themselves, or
that they had not been in conflict with the Indians? What was Crockett's
exact meaning? Does he convey it clearly? Does the word _business_ seem
dignified enough to be applied to war?

"I couldn't fight at all." Does the abbreviation of the words _could
not_ make Crockett's style dignified or familiar? Do you often see
similar abbreviations in what is known as "good literature," except as
they are found in conversation, where the tendency is always to use
abbreviated forms and familiar terms? Does not the use of such
abbreviations in this selection make it seem as though Crockett were
talking to his readers in a free and easy manner, rather than as though
he were writing a formal book?

"When I heard of the mischief." In the first sentence of this paragraph,
Crockett speaks of a "most bloody butchery" at Fort Mimms. Now he refers
to it as _the mischief_. Is the word _mischief_ strong enough?

"In a few days a general meeting of the militia was called." Who were
the militia? Why could not the militia be sent out as a body instead of
calling for volunteers? Does he mean the organized militia, or simply
the able-bodied men in that vicinity?

"Began to beg me not to turn out." Is _turn out_ a slang phrase here, or
is it a term commonly used in speaking of the assemblage of the militia?

"It was mighty hard to go against her arguments." Does the word _mighty_
show refinement? What word would be better? Does the phrase _go against_
look well in a book?

"Told her that if every man would wait till his wife got willing to let
him go to war, there would be no fighting done until we would all be
killed in our houses." Is the word _would_ as it appears the first time
used properly? Is _should_ the right word to use? Is _got willing_
correct English? Does the word _until_ express the meaning Crockett
intends to convey? If "there would be no fighting done _until_ they were