is a settled question. I hear no contradiction. Who dares contradict? I
hear no reply. Who is afraid of the King of Babylon? If ye know of such
an one, bring the cowardly dog to me, and I will take off his head--Ha!
ha! ha! Old Jeremiah! Where is he? Ah, I'll soon put him out of the way.
Can there be any danger while the King of Babylon is fighting with the
King of Egypt?

"Princess and Nobles of Judah! I perceive ye understand your sovereign.
We are all safe! He dethroned me three years ago--Ha! ha! ha! Will he do
it again? Shall I pay him any more tribute money? Never! I defy his
power! And to-morrow I shall punish the enemies of Judah who live in our
midst. Tomorrow shall flow rivers of blood!"

The heavy blasts of trumpets were now distinctly heard without, which
arrested the king in his drunken speech. A number of officers rose to
their feet. A young officer in uniform rushed into the banquet-hall and
cried at the top of his voice: "To arms! To arms! To arms, O Judah! The
legions of the Chaldeans are approaching the Holy City! To arms! To arms!
To arms!" and the officer hurried again into the street. The confusion
that ensued was indescribable. Officers ran to and fro in wild haste.
Wives and daughters wailed, lamented, and clung to their husbands and
fathers in the utmost dismay. Hilarity and mirth were turned into sorrow
and bitter lamentations. Those proud and lofty arches that had so lately
rung to the sound of the merry song and boisterous laugh, now answered to
the distracted cry of the fair daughters of Judah. Thus, in "confusion
worse confounded," broke up the great festival of the last anniversary of
the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah.

The dawn of day presented to the inhabitants of Jerusalem their true and
lamentable condition. A portion of the Chaldean army was already encamped