This got them down the alley without much trouble, but that was the easy 
part; when they reached the street, they were no longer the only focus of 
action but mere motes in a sandstorm. Colonel Spence discharged most of a clip 
into the air; the explosions were nearly inaudible in the chaos, but the gouts 
of light from the weapon's barrel drew some
attention, and people in their immediate vicinity actually got out of their 
way. Carl saw one of the Zulus do something very ugly with his long weapon and 
looked away; then he reflected that it was the Zulus' job to break trail and 
his to concentrate on more distant threats. He turned slowly around as he 
walked, trying to ignore the threat that was just beyond arm's length and to 
get a view of the larger scene.