To Fraggood and Kinggron the devotional hours of the first president were well known; and at such hour it was necessary that they should, under some pretense, find their way into his worshiping chamber.  To find such an excuse was but the work of a moment to those so expert in mischievous plots as the two presidents.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, when the loud voices of the heralds proclaiming the peculiar enactment fell on his ears, he laid by his parchment, closed his eyes for a moment in silent devotion, then rose and calmly entered that little chamber, where he had so often, for so many years, bowed before the God of his fathers.  There he had sat for many hours in silent meditation on the length of Judah’s captivity, and cried, “How long, O Lord, how long!” A dear spot to the man of God that little chamber had been for many a long year.

“From the days of my childhood I have prayed to the God of my fathers,” soliloquized Daniel.  “I well remember when, by the side of my mother, while I was yet but a little child, I bowed the knee in humble adoration of my God.  From that day to this, throughout my long, weary pilgrimage, I have always prayed and offered my petitions to the Most High.  And am I now to be frightened in my old age from the worship of my God through the fear of the lions?  Is this the strength of Daniel’s faith?  I laugh to scorn their blasphemous law!”

Soon after Daniel had left for his devotional exercises, the members of the “Union Safety Committee” (Fraggood, Bimbokrak and Scramgee) were seen on their way from the house of Kinggron, moving in the direction of the house of the first president.

“If we find him in prayer before his God,” said Fraggood, “we shall not be called upon to offer any excuse for our calling.  We will ask forgiveness for the intrusion and retire.  But if we find him otherwise, our object seems reasonable indeed.”

“May the gods grant that we need not speak of our object,” said Bimbokrak.

By this time the “committee” had arrived at the door of the mansion.  Fraggood led the way into the office; but the first president was not there.

“Hark ye!” whispered Fraggood.  “Hark!”

“It is the voice of prayer!” said Bimbokrak.

“Silently!  Silently!” answered Scramgee, “or he will surely hear us.”

“Follow me!” said the president.  “Tread lightly!”

The “committee,” with beating hearts and light footsteps, sought the chamber whence came the sound of prayer.  They soon found the spot; the door was open, and the man of God, on his bended knees, was engaged in solemn devotion.

They gazed upon him for a moment; he saw them not, for his countenance was turned in another direction.  Fraggood did not wish to return without acquainting Daniel of his presence, but still he wished to escape an interview.  Therefore, in a voice that the first president would surely hear, he said: