The bottom will be in shadow, and we may get off without being noticed.

The only fear is that we shall make a noise in opening the gate.
"Now, let us try it." Keeping close to the wall, they crept to the gateway.

This projected two feet beyond the gate itself, and standing against the latter they could not be seen, even in the unlikely event of one of the sentries looking down.

The only risk was of anyone in the guard house coming out.

This, however, could not be avoided, and they at once began to examine the fastenings of the gate, which consisted of two massive bars of wood, running across it.