iraculous
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.

IN TWO years after these occurrences Darius the Mede died; and about the
same time died also Cambyse