Page 101 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

subsided as they perceived the rapid renewal of the army with its old genius, Nebuzar-
Adan, again in control.

A group of brilliant young officers of the army also came into prominence and
political influence. Senior among these was a general whose name was Avil-Marduk,
historically known as Evil-Merodach. Next in rank to him came Neriglissar, and the
third ranking military leader and considerably younger than the other two was

Nabunaid, the son of Nebuzar-Adan, Chief of staff and General of the armies.

The first two were not only excellent military strategists but dabbled in civil and
political affairs. They were popular with the people and with the government officials,

especially with those who had made no profession of conversion to the worship of the
God of the Hebrews. Yet was there no suggestion that they were guilty of the slightest
disloyalty to the king.

Indeed Avil-Marduk was a man of mystery. His family origin was obscure. His
mother had died in his early youth, and he had been brought up by a plain couple on
an ample subsidy from some unknown source, that afforded him the best of scholastic
and military training. Apart from his native ability there seemed to be some unseen

hand that smoothed the way for his steady rise to military power and political
influence.

There was a persistent opinion abroad in the land, that he was an illegitimate son

of King Nebuchadnezzar himself, whom the king secretly favored, but would not
publicly recognize.

The king would not voluntarily either confirm or deny this report, and none would

presume to question him directly about it. As Queen Rhea never gave birth to another
child after the advent of the Princess Hanniel, the king seemed to be without male
issue, and speculation was rife as to whom he would designate as his successor.

Of the older Babylonians none was so close to the king or a more intimate friend
than Nebuzaradan. Such easy access did he have to the palace, that he was never
challenged by any of the guards as he passed in.

While he was yet a student in the military college, young Nabunaid frequently
accompanied his father, Nabuzaradan, to the palace and entered the royal apartment.

The Princess Hanniel was now eighteen and had blossomed into charming

womanhood. She had inherited the physical characteristics of her mother, and King
Nebuchadnezzar doted upon her as the replica of his beloved Rhea. He almost felt that