The pin points of light from the rifle fire multiplied themselves into hundreds, and the front of the foe shifted about, as if they were trying to curve around the defenders.
Paul could not definitely say that he saw a single savage, but he fired now and then at the flashes of light, and also tried to obey Sol's injunction about sticking close to him and Henry.

But he was not always sure that the figures near him were theirs, the darkness remaining so intense.

He heard occasional low cries, the light impact of bullets, and the shuffling sound of feet, but he was fast losing any ordered view of the battle.

He knew now that the savages were very close, that the combat was almost hand to hand, but he knew little else.

The night enclosed all the furious border conflict, and hid the loss or gain of either side from all but the keenest eyes.
Paul could never tell how long this lasted, but he felt confident that the area of conflict was shifting.