Others carry long spears. A voice comes over the PA system and explains that this is the volunteer militia, here to protect the settlers from Indian attack. The volunteers are all white and waddley, fat bellies pushing out their armor at the cracks, fat old men daffies led by a rooster. They're too old to be soldiers. Or they're like soldiers kept forever in the army for a forever war.
Somebody beats a drum.
The half of them with muskets point them at her. The three muskets, barrels leaned against each other in front of the tent near her, are the same model. The old men with the pikes point them at her. For a few seconds, nobody says anything. Then the rooster man pulls out a sword and yells, readyaimfire.