still, when he finds the first transgressor to be none other than the
first president. Let us be prepared for the mighty contest! This is a
movement that will justify desperate measures. Things must be resorted to
that, in other matters, would be justly condemned. The object in view
must justify our every step. Our words have gone forth to the king that
this law is the fruit of the calm deliberations of all the presidents.
Now, in regard to the future of this matter, there must be no cowardly
apologies, no lame explanations, no faltering embarrassment, nor weak
equivocation. Let us still unitedly adhere to every statement that we
have made. And shall the testimony of one be strong enough to impeach the
testimony of six men? Nay, verily! Let us, therefore, be firm, and we
shall not only succeed in condemning the old Israelite, but also prove
him a liar. Are we now ready to swear solemnly, in the presence of the
gods, that our testimonies, if called before the king, shall say that
this Daniel was concerned in framing this law?"

"All ready, most noble Fraggood!" was the united reply.

"Then we swear!"

The next day, by order of the presidents, the streets of Babylon rang
with the proclamation of the new law. Heralds were sent to and fro, who,
at the top of their voices, sounded the peculiar edict throughout every
thoroughfare. At first it was thought by many to be a mischievous hoax,
but it was soon found to be stern reality. Nothing could exceed the
astonishment and consternation produced among the inhabitants when they
first heard it; it was so unlike anything they could expect from the mild
Mede. Not only among the Hebrews, who were numerous in the city, was this
singular law looked upon as monstrous in its nature, but also by the
great body of Chaldeans, many of whom were warmly attached to the worship