e scattered
stones.

[Illustration: So the sad shepherd thanked them for their
entertainment.]

"We have seen a vision," he cried, "a wonderful vision of angels. Did
you not hear them? They sang loudly of the Hope of Israel. We are
going to Bethlehem to see this thing which is come to pass. Come
you and keep 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. 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."

But Nathan came close to the sad shepherd and touched him on the
shoulder with a friendly hand. "Go you also to Bethlehem," he said in
a low voice, "for it is good to see what we have seen, and we will
keep your flock until you return."

"I will go," said Ammiel, looking into his face, "for I think you wish
me well. But whether I shall see what you have seen, or whether I
shall ever return, I know not. Farewell."

III

DAWN

The narrow streets of Bethlehem were waking to the first stir of life
as the sad shepherd came into the town with the morning, and passed
through them like one walking in his sleep.

The court-yard of the great khan and the ope