years, bowed before the God of his fathers. There he had sat for
many hours in silent meditation on the length of Judah's captivity, and
cried, "How long, O Lord, how long!" A dear spot to the man of God that
little chamber had been for many a long year.

"From the days of my childhood I have prayed to the God of my fathers,"
soliloquized Daniel. "I well remember when, by the side of my mother,
while I was yet but a little child, I bowed the knee in humble adoration
of my God. From that day to this, throughout my long, weary pilgrimage, I
have always prayed and offered my petitions to the Most High. And am I
now to be frightened in my old age from the worship of my God through the
fear of the lions? Is this the strength of Daniel's faith? I laugh to
scorn their blasphemous law!"

Soon after Daniel had left for his devotional exercises, the members of
the "Union Safety Committee" (Fraggood, Bimbokrak and Scramgee) were seen
on their way from the house of Kinggron, moving in the direction of the
house of the first president.

"If we find him in prayer before his God," said Fraggood, "we shall not
be called upon to offer any excuse for our calling. We will ask
forgiveness for the intrusion and retire. But if we find him otherwise,
our object seems reasonable indeed."

"May the gods grant that we need not speak of our object," said
Bimbokrak.

By this time the "committee" had arrived at the door of the mansion.
Fraggood led the way into the office; but the first president was not
there.

"Hark ye!" whispered Fraggood. "Hark!"

"It is the voice of prayer!" said Bimbokrak.

"Silently! Silently!" answered Scramgee, "or he will surely hear us."

"Follow me!" said the president. "Tread lightly!"

The "committee," with beating hearts and light footsteps, sought the
chamber whence came the sound of prayer. They soon found the spot; the
door was open, and the man of God, on his bended knees, was engaged in
solemn devotion.

They gazed upon him for a moment; he saw them not, for his countenance
was turned in another direction. Fraggood did not wish to return without
acquainting Daniel of his presence, but still he wished to escape an
interview. Therefore, in a voice that the first president would surely
hear, he said:

"We beg pardon for this intrusion. Let us not disturb our most excellent
friend whilst he makes his petitions to his God."

The Hebrew prophet gently turned his head, but he saw only the receding
for