"An angel of the Lord hath brought me hither, and bidden me go boldly to the south gate when I had ceased my prayer, promising to open it for me."
The man stood paralyzed with awe. He knew Manasseh's voice. After a long pause he asked:
"Did not the angel let you in by the south gate? for I heard a strange noise there, as of creaking of stone on stone, but saw that the gate was bolted."
"I may not answer you," replied Manasseh. "But you have disturbed my meditation, and I will withdraw."
"Pardon! pardon! O servant of the Lord," said the man, kneeling in the darkness. "But call not the angel. I myself will open the gate."
"It is the angel's prompting," said Manasseh.
The gate was unbarred. In a few moments the watchman heard a light whistle out among the stones beneath the south wall, and something that sounded like—
"Give me your hand! Up with you! And now for Gibeah!"