t be no cowardly
apologies, no lame explanations, no faltering embarrassment, nor weak
equivocation. Let us still unitedly adhere to every statement that we
have made. And shall the testimony of one be strong enough to impeach the
testimony of six men? Nay, verily! Let us, therefore, be firm, and we
shall not only succeed in condemning the old Israelite, but also prove
him a liar. Are we now ready to swear solemnly, in the presence of the
gods, that our testimonies, if called before the king, shall say that
this Daniel was concerned in framing this law?"

"All ready, most noble Fraggood!" was the united reply.

"Then we swear!"

The next day, by order of the presidents, the streets of Babylon rang
with the proclamation of the new law. Heralds were sent to and fro, who,
at the top of their voices, sounded the peculiar edict throughout every
thoroughfare. At first it was thought by many to be a mischievous hoax,
but it was soon found to be stern reality. Nothing could exceed the
astonishment and consternation produced among the inhabitants when they
first heard it; it was so unlike anything they could expect from the mild
Mede. Not only among the Hebrews, who were numerous in the city, was this
singular law looked upon as monstrous in its nature, but also by the
great body of Chaldeans, many of whom were warmly attached to the worship
of their gods. The shortness of the period in which it was to be
enforced, however, served to quiet them in a manner. Thirty days would
soon be over, and then they would closely watch the future movements of
their new king.

The "Union Safety Committee" acted well their part. Daniel, perfectly
acquainted with all their movements, gave himself no uneasiness. With
full confidence in his God, he rolled his burden upon Jehovah, and felt
the perfect assurance that all would be well.

To Fraggood and Kinggron the devotional hours of the first president were
well known; and at such hour it was necessary that they should, under
some pretense, find their way into his worshiping chamber. To find such
an excuse was but the work of a moment to those so expert in mischievous
plots as the two presidents.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, when the loud voices of
the heralds proclaiming the peculiar enactment fell on his ears, he laid
by his parchment, closed his eyes for a moment in silent devotion, then
rose and calmly entered that little chamber, where he had so often, for
so many