"By the gods, we have them!" whispered Shagoth, in ecstasies. "Behold,
Scribbo, how erect their posture!"

"Hold thy peace!" whispered Scribbo, in return, "or they will hear us.
When we rise, then we will confront them to good advantage. Thanks to the
gods, they have well favored us."

The signal for the vast throng to arise from their worshiping attitude
was given. No sooner was it heard, than Scribbo and Shagoth walked with
an air of conscious triumph and stood before the three Hebrews.

"And who are these presumptuous and rash mortals," said Shagoth, "who
thus dare to set the laws of the king at defiance? Tremble, ye daring
wretches! for who are ye to withstand the vengeance of our sovereign?"

"To the king, then, we are accountable; and not to thee, thou crawling
reptile," answered Hananiah. "So haste thee away; and if thou hast any
authority, let it be displayed within its own sphere."

"Ah!" cried Shagoth, "ye are doomed to die! See ye not the heated smoke
of the fiery furnace? Your guilty and rash conduct shall be made known to
the king without delay. Your guilty career is well-nigh run; and Chaldea
shall soon be delivered from the curse of foreign office-holders."

"But not from the curse of a groveling, envious, unprincipled horde of
office-seekers," said Azariah, casting a withering glance on the two
brothers.

"Away, brother!" cried Scribbo. "For why should we hear the abusive
harangue of these overfed demagogues?"