Page 92 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

This was exactly the information Bigthan wanted, but he gave no sign of especial
interest, and stayed for a while to listen to more of the talk.

It was after nightfall before, by a roundabout way, he sought out the cottage on
Palace Way. He had no difficulty in locating it, and knocked on the door. When he was
admitted, he looked from one to the other of the four inseparable friends and said, “I

have a commission to Lord Daniel, called Belteshazzar!”

The one who had admitted him said: “I am Daniel, but whatever commission you
have for me, can with equal safety be known to us all, as we have no secrets from each

other.”

Bigthan took the seat that was offered him and said: “I may as well come straight
to the point. At my farmhouse some twenty miles from the city, I have a guest. He is

none other than Nebuchadnezzar the King, now clothed and in his right mind. He has
completely recovered his sanity after his period of madness. He sent me to request that
you, Sir. Daniel, would see General Nebuzaradan, Lord Ashpenaz, Lord Arioch and
other faithful men and accompany me back to the farm to confer with him concerning

future plans for the kingdom and nation.”

The four did not show the surprise that Bigthan had expected, but looked at each
other significantly as Mishael said to the farmer: “We knew he would recover and that

the time was at hand. Incidentally, it happens that this very night we have a secret
meeting arranged among the faithful. They will be overjoyed at the news you have
brought. I am so confident of their eagerness to see the king and have him restored,
that I feel sure they will be willing to go this very night. We should, by all means, go

under cover of night to avoid observation. I suggest that we meet beside the great
image in the plain of Dura, each going out of the city alone, and from different gates.
When we meet there, we can proceed by moonlight under your guidance, to your
farmhouse. I shall convey this plan to the others and we shall start out immediately

before the gates of the city are finally closed for the night.” Bigthan agreed that the
plan was an excellent one and took his departure as Daniel also hastened away to
attend the meeting that had been arranged. The other three stayed to pray for the

blessing and guidance of Jehovah upon the whole plan.

It was near midnight when the group was complete at the base of the image—
Daniel, Nebuzaradan, Ashpenaz and Arioch. Bigthan had been the first to arrive. He
led the others, all of whom were in fine physical condition, in their nocturnal journey

by foot, to his farmhouse.