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.
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