watch over our sheep while we are gone."

"Of angels I have seen and heard nothing," said Ammiel, "but I will
guard your flocks with mine, since I am in debt to you for bread and
fire."

So he brought the kid in his arms, and the weary flock straggling after
him, to the south wall of the great fold again, and sat there by the
embers at the foot of the tower, while the others were away. The moon
rested like a ball on the edge of the western hills and rolled behind
them. The stars faded in the east and the fires went out on the
Mountain of the Little Paradise. Over the hills of Moab a gray flood of
dawn rose slowly, and arrows of red shot far up before the sunrise.

The shepherds returned full of joy and told what they had seen.

"It was even as the angels said unto us," said Shama, "and it must be
true. The King of Israel has come. The faithful shall be blessed."

"Herod shall fall," cried Jotham, lifting his clenched fist toward the
dark peaked mountain. "Burn, black Idumean, in the bottomless pit,
where the fire is not quenched."

Zadok spoke more quietly. "We found the new-born child of whom the
angels told us wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The
ways of God are wonderful. His salvation comes out of darkness, and we
trust in the promised deliverance. But you, Ammiel-ben-Jochanan, except
you believe, you shall not see it. Yet since you have kept our flocks
faithfully, and because of the joy that has come to us, I give you this
piece of silver to help you on your way."