How they attained entrance to the gorge I could not conjecture; my eyes first detected their movement when their leaders stole noiselessly as phantoms about the great shelf of rock higher up the gorge.

More than this fleeting glimpse I was unable to perceive from where I sat, our rude rampart somewhat obstructing the view, nor did I call the attention of the others to their approach.

Nothing could be gained by exposing ourselves before need arose.

Indeed, De Noyan chanced to observe their presence before I ventured upon speech at all.
"Ha, my masters!" he exclaimed suddenly, rising to peer above the low breastworks.

"What have we here?
By my soul, the ball is about to open, gentlemen; the enemy creeps forward as though uncertain of our whereabouts, yet hardly as if greatly fearing our numbers.