The words "racket," "sauntering," and "smirked" imply that the narrator considers the adventure a joke. "Racket" suggests a noisy or chaotic situation that might be exaggerated, "sauntering" indicates a relaxed and carefree approach to the gates, and "smirked" reflects a sense of amusement rather than fear. Thus, the correct answer is:
• They imply the narrator considers the adventure a joke.