The grand signal was given! The musical instruments poured forth their loud strains, and the great mass fell prostrate before the glittering idol. But, yonder, behold those champions of moral integrity! Only three among five hundred thousand! While all besides have bowed the knee, there they stand! Their figures are heroic, their forms are erect, their arms folded, while an involuntary smile of contempt plays on their lips.
“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?”
And away the patriots hurried with their complaint to the king.