Horns were held up to the light in order that the powder line might show, bullets were counted, and flints examined.

Paul knew what it all meant.

The Shawnees would attack in the darkness, and there would be all the confusion of a midnight battle, when one might not be able to tell friend from friend nor foe from foe.

The sense of weirdness and awe overcame him again.

They were but the tiniest of atoms in that vast wilderness, which would be just the same to-morrow and the next day, no matter who won.
But Paul had in him the stuff of which heroes are made, and his strong will brought his mind back to present needs.