up his mind that there was nothing to fear.  So he slowly approached.  He paused again.  Daniel reached out his hand and spoke.  The lion fancied the peculiarity of that voice; so with eyes half closed he slowly walked up to the man, and with the innocence and harmlessness of a young spaniel, he licked the hand of the prophet.  After having partially conquered his embarrassment, he uttered another low growl, and looked toward the rest of the company, as much as to say, “Come this way!  Don’t be afraid.”

They slowly and silently gathered around the strange visitor, and each one appeared to be pleased to be permitted to come in contact with his person in some way.  And when the darkness of night gathered around them, the old lion answered for Daniel’s pillow, the lioness lay at his feet, and the young lions stretched themselves on either side, to keep him warm; and soon the Prophet of Jehovah was fast asleep.

. . . . . . .

If ever a sleepless mortal, wearied with the tediousness of a painful night, rejoiced to see the first glimmering dawn of the morn, King Darius did, after that dark, dreary period of agony.  No sooner was it fairly day than the monarch ordered his chariot, and, with a number of his nobles, he was once more on his way toward the den of lions.  The royal chariot, as it moved through the various thoroughfares, attracted the notice of the inhabitants.  Its destination was understood, and as there was some faint hope in the minds of thousands that the God of Daniel would miraculously interfere and save his servant, they had accordingly held themselves in readiness to be early at the den.  They, therefore, with all haste followed in the direction of the royal train.  The king was greatly astonished to find already there a large number of the inhabitants.  The movements and excitement of the people had also brought to the spot the six conspirators, who were greatly astonished to see the king.  The monarch, in trembling accents, ordered the stone to be removed from the door of the den.  The order was quickly obeyed.  While every eye rested upon him, the king entered and stood inside of the outer door, and cried, in a loud voice: 

“Oh, Daniel! is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

Oh, the breathless silence of that moment!  A thousand hearts throb with deep emotion, in painful suspense to learn the result.  Hark!  A voice clear and firm ascends from the depths, and falls on the ears of the multitude: 

“O king, live forever!”

It was enough!  Gladsome shouts echoed from a thousand tongues!  The joy was unbounded.  Their sorrow for their old friend was turned into joy, and the name of the God of Daniel was praised.

Immediate orders were given to bring the old Hebrew up, and soon he stood in the presence of the king and the rejoicing throng.

Then said Daniel, turning to the king, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the mouths of the lions, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”