This he slipped into the holster and carried the rest of his apparatus back to the closet from which he had taken it.
Still the preparation had not ended.

Filling his cartridge belt, every cartridge was subject to a rigid inspection.

A full half hour was wasted in this manner.

Wasted, because he rejected not one of the many he examined.

Yet he seemed happier after having made his selection, and went down the stairs, humming softly.
Out to the barn he went, lantern in hand.