So named because they are lead by the Archangel Gabriel, here acting as the psychopomp of a Christianized Wild Hunt. The hounds are often described as being of huge size, with red ears and eyes, and either glowing green, or white. As a glowing green, they bring to mind the Hound of the Baskervilles; no doubt Doyle was drawing upon the legend.

The sound of the hounds barking overhead has been explained as geese (the been-goose) flying over at night; what is normal during the day becomes fearsome at night.

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