However, the question was soon settled.

I heard that metallic noise descending into the great ditch.

It augmented fast, it spread all along, and it unmistakably furnished me this fact: an armed host was taking up its quarters in the ditch.

Yes, these people were arranging a little surprise party for us.

We could expect entertainment about dawn, possibly earlier.
I groped my way back to the corral now; I had seen enough.