It came to him curiously that it was his destiny ever to stand on this high place, looking down on unending hordes of black trouble that required control, bullying, and cajolery.

But while he glanced carelessly over them, he was keenly taking stock.

The new men were all armed with modern rifles.
Ah, he had thought so.

There were fifteen of them, undoubtedly the Lunga runaways.

In addition, a dozen old Sniders were in the hands of the original crowd.