“Sing a snatch of some carol as we walk,” he suggested.

And Gabriel obeyed, chanting, to a tune he had known all his life, the words:

“The God of love doth give His Son,

The Prince of Peace, to quell

The sin and strife that mar man’s life;

With us He deigns to dwell.

On earth be peace,

Bid strife to cease,

To all men show goodwill.”

By this time they had reached the first sentry.