and, that his commands are not to be trifled with; and,
moreover, that if the King of Judah persists in his stubbornness, he must
be dragged into his presence as a guilty culprit."

"Who dares to utter such words in my presence?" cried Jehoiakim, in a
rage.

"The Chaldean minister, as the words of his illustrious sovereign."

"Go and tell thine 'illustrious sovereign' that Jehoiakim spits upon his
insolent demands."

"Thy raving is in vain. Better far to bridle thy rage and comply. Be it
known to the King of Judah, that I have three hundred chosen men of war
at my bidding, who wait for the word of command. What is the choice of
the King of Judah?"

"Be it known to thee, insolent fool," cried the exasperated king, "that
Jehoiakim laughs to scorn thy threats, and spurns thy counsels."

"Alas for thine obstinacy, proud and reckless man!" answered Balphoras,
as he left the apartment; "thy doom is sealed!"

After the departure of the Chaldean, Jehoiakim gave orders to his
officers to be ready, at all hazards, to defend the royal enclosures
against all further intrusion from the Chaldeans.

"A curse upon his guilty head! Ha, ha! 'Dragged into his presence,' eh!
Never! Fools! Villains! Let them beware of Jehoiakim's vengeance."

While the King of Judah thus indulged in his wild delirium, a strong
detachment of the Chaldean army was on a rapid march towards the royal
palace, with orders to make a prisoner of Jehoiakim, and bring him into
the presence of the King of Babylon. They soon reached the king's gate,
and demanded admittance; which demand was promptly and haughtily refused.
This was but the signal for attack, and a furious combat followed. Both
the Chaldeans and Jehoiakim's men fought valiantly. The passage was
defended with extreme bravery and valor; but after a most desperate
struggle, the Chaldeans proved successful in forcing an entrance. The
sentry at the palace door was soon overcome, and a company of Chaldeans
rushed into the royal mansion; and, after some search, they found the
king. Without ceremony he was dragged from his hiding place, and ejected
from his palace. A shout of triumph broke from the Chaldeans, which only
exasperated their antagonists. Another desperate rush was made for the
rescue of their king, but it proved unavailing. He was conducted to the
open street amid a general fight. The din of battle brought together vast
multitudes, who, seeing their king a captive, added greatly to the
str