at 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."

An aged man at this moment was seen making his way through the crowd, as
if endeavoring to find admittance into the presence of the king. His
venerable appearance served to make for him room.

"We meet again, Apgomer!" cried Daniel, in a familiar, friendly voice:
and then to the king he said:

"This is my good friend Apgomer, O king, one of the few friends of my
early days. He hath words to communicate to the king, in the presence of
this throng, that will give thee to understand clearly that this law was
prepared on purpose to ensnare thy servant Daniel."

"Let my worthy friends, Fraggood and Kinggron, with their four
companions, the princes, stand in this direction!" said the king, with an
angry expression of countenance.

The conspirators, with paleness gathering on their brows, obeyed, and
tremblingly stood facing the king.

"Now, O Daniel, t