Ten minutes after the messenger's arrival, the militia, which had been waiting under arms, set out for the scene in wagons.

From Cedar City went every able-bodied man but two.
Joel Rae was with them, wondering why he went.

He wanted not to go.

He preferred that news of the approaching victory should be brought to him; yet invisible hands had forced him, even while it seemed that frenzied voices--voices without sound--warned him back.
The ride was long, but not long enough for his mind to clear.

It was still clouded with doubts and questionings and fears when they at last saw the flaring of many fires with figures loitering or moving busily about them.