I heard the city without gradually waking up.

Market- carts rumbled in the roads, the shrill cry of the street vendors sounded in the air, and above all was the heavy splash of the rain.
At last a long low sound fell on my ear, which I knew only too well to proclaim the approach of the carts crawling in our direction.

Nearer and nearer they came till they stopped at the gate, and the familiar bell tolled out.

I heard the footsteps of the warder plashing across the yard, growling at the rain.

Then I heard the grating of the bolts as they were slowly drawn back, and the creaking of the gates on their hinges.