continuance of his favor is not to be
purchased by a base betrayal of our principles, or a denial of our God.
We cannot serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast
set up. We bow the knee to God Most High alone! To us thy fiery furnace
has no terrors! Jehovah, in whom we trust, is able to deliver us. That
God who divided the Red Sea in two parts and made Israel to pass through
the midst of it, and who parted the waves of the swelling Jordan, is able
to preserve thy servants alive in the midst of the devouring flames! Yea,
he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king! But, if in this we are
mistaken, be it known unto thee, that toe can never obey any law of man
that requireth a violation of the law of God. Therefore, we refuse to
serve thy gods, or worship this golden image which thou hast set up."

"Seize the ungrateful wretches!" cried the king, in a rage, while
paleness spread over his countenance. "Seize all who set my authority at
naught, and who thus insult their king! By the gods, now shall they feel
the weight of my displeasure, and reap the reward of their daring
insolence! Let the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Let
the worthless dogs be thrown in, and let their God, if he be able, prove
himself superior to the gods of Chaldea! Bind them now, in my presence!"

The three brothers were seized on the spot by several strong men, and
bound hand and foot with cords. When this was done, they were conveyed in
the direction of the fiery furnace. The news soon spread throughout the
assemblage, and pressing thousands urged their way towards the place of
execution. The fire raged with fury. Fagot after fagot was thrown in. The
flames leaped high above the top of the black walls that surrounded them.
The executioners were strong men of the royal guard. To these were added
a number of others, who, to show the strength of their patriotism,
volunteered their services. Foremost among these were Scribbo and
Shagoth. With what triumphant malignity they gazed on the bound Hebrews!
How complete they considered their own victory!

The word of command was given, and the victims were dragged up the
massive steps that led to the upper edge of the burning pit. In this the
volunteers showed more than an ordinary degree of patriotism. The Hebrews
were laid side by side, ready for their awful doom. The stout hearts of
the soldiers were touched with pity as they gazed on the noble forms of
their victims, of