was thought he might be
some official favorite or famous prince. Such an appearance was not
inconsistent with exalted rank. Kings often struggled for the crown
of leaves which was the prize of victory. Nero and Commodus, it will
be remembered, devoted themselves to the chariot. Ben-Hur arose
and forced a passage down nearly to the railing in front of the
lower seat of the stand. His face was earnest, his manner eager.

And directly the whole person of the driver was in view. A companion
rode with him, in classic description a Myrtilus, permitted men of high
estate indulging their passion for the race-course. Ben-Hur could see
only the driver, standing erect in the chariot, with the reins passed
several times round his body--a handsome figure, scantily covered by
a tunic of light-red cloth; in the right hand a whip; in the other,
the arm raised and lightly extended, the four lines. The pose was
exceedingly graceful and animated. The cheers and clapping of
hands were received with statuesque indifference. Ben-Hur stood
transfixed--his instinct and memory had served him faithfully--THE
DRIVER WAS MESSALA.

By the selection of horses, the magnificence of the chariot, the
attitude, and display of person--above all, by the expression of
the cold, sharp, eagle features, imperialized in his countrymen by
sway of the world through so many generations, Ben-Hur knew Messala
unchanged, as haughty, confident, and audacious as ever, the same
in ambition, cynicism, and mocking insouciance.

CHAPTER VIII

As Ben-Hur descended the steps of the stand, an Arab arose upon
the last one at the foot, and cried out,

"Men of the East and West--hearken! The good Sheik Ilderim giveth
greeting. With four horses, sons of the favorites of Solomon the
Wise, he bath come up against the best. Needs he most a mighty man
to drive them. Whoso will take them to his satisfaction, to him
he promiseth enrichment forever. Here--there--in the city and in
the Circuses, and wherever the strong most do congregate, tell ye
this his offer. So saith my master, Sheik Ilderim the Generous."

The proclamation awakened a great buzz among the people under
the awning. By night it would be repeated and discussed in all
the sporting circles of Antioch. Ben-Hur, hearing it, stopped and
looked hesitatingly from the herald to the sheik. Malluch thought he
was about to accept the offer, but was relieved when he presently turned
to him, and asked, "Good Malluch,