execution. The fire raged with fury. Fagot after fagot was thrown in. The
flames leaped high above the top of the black walls that surrounded them.
The executioners were strong men of the royal guard. To these were added
a number of others, who, to show the strength of their patriotism,
volunteered their services. Foremost among these were Scribbo and
Shagoth. With what triumphant malignity they gazed on the bound Hebrews!
How complete they considered their own victory!

The word of command was given, and the victims were dragged up the
massive steps that led to the upper edge of the burning pit. In this the
volunteers showed more than an ordinary degree of patriotism. The Hebrews
were laid side by side, ready for their awful doom. The stout hearts of
the soldiers were touched with pity as they gazed on the noble forms of
their victims, of whom they had never heard aught but good; and they felt
loath to perform the awful deed. But not so the patriotic sons of
Skerbood.

"Why not throw the guilty rebels in?" cried Shagoth, with an air of
importance.

"As ye appear to take far more pleasure in this transaction than we do,
we are very willing to bestow the honor of throwing them in on
yourselves. So proceed with your delightful performance," said an
officer, at the same time giving way, while his companions followed him
some two or three steps downward.

"With all pleasure!" answered Scribbo, while, with fiendish eagerness,
they both turned to perform the foul deed. With a firm grasp they first
laid hold on Azariah, and he was thrown into the midst of the flames. The
same was done to Mishael; and, finally, as Hananiah dropped to the