“’Let them proceed in their scheme of wickedness.  Let it become ripe.  The God in whom I trust shall vindicate the honor and superiority of his own law.  I might easily frustrate all their malicious designs by acquainting the king with their cowardly plots; but the cause of Jehovah shall gather more strength from a miraculous display of his power in the preservation of his servant from harm.  Forty years ago, idolatry in Chaldea received a blow, from the effects of which it has never recovered, in the miraculous deliverance of my three cousins from the midst of a burning, fiery furnace.  And if a visit to the lions for a few hours may cause the name of Jehovah to be feared, I ask for no greater honor.  No weapon formed against the servant of Jehovah shall prosper.  Let not my good friend Apgomer be troubled.  The life of Daniel is as safe in the lions’ den as among his friends at his own home.  Therefore let them proceed with their malicious measures; let no impediment be thrown in their way.  Let them have a few days of rejoicing, and their brief nights of merriment.  Soon the day of retribution shall overtake them; for He that is higher than the highest shall surely avenge himself on these workers of iniquity.’”

“Believe not this man, O king!” said the pale and trembling Fraggood, “seeing he prepareth lying words before thee.”

At this moment a young man, whose countenance denoted some passion, rushed on the stage, and, without any apology or ceremony, began to speak: 

“Let not the worthy and aged Apgomer be called a liar!  A lie never escaped those venerable lips, O king!  As soon may the gods lie!  Thy servant is the doorkeeper of the Garden.  I can testify to the existence of a plot to destroy Daniel.”

“It is enough!” cried the king.  “Seize the guilty wretches!  Let the cowardly liars meet the doom they had prepared for my servant Daniel!  Up! and throw them to the lions!”

No sooner were the words spoken than a score of willing hands seized the forms of the conspirators, and, amid the curses of an indignant throng, they were thrown to the depth of the den, to meet a far different fate from that of the man of God.

Then spoke the king: 

“I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:  for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and his kingdom is that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.  He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

“O king, live forever!” cried the well pleased throng.

Daniel was taken into the royal chariot and seated by the side of the king, and the royal train moved forward, amid the triumphant shouts of the populace.

Thus fidelity to the God of Israel was abundantly rewarded.

CHAPTER XXVII.