“When?”
“To-day. His horses may be engaged to-morrow.”
“You like them, then?”
Ben-Hur answered with animation,
“I saw them from the stand an instant only, for Messala then drove up, and I might not look at anything else; yet I recognized them as of the blood which is the wonder as well as the glory of the deserts. I never saw the kind before, except in the stables of Cæsar; but once seen, they are always to be known. To-morrow, upon meeting, I will know you, Malluch, though you do not so much as salute me; I will know you by your face, by your form, by your manner; and by the same signs I will know them, and with the same certainty. If all that is said of them be true, and I can bring their spirit under control of mine, I can—”
“Win the sestertii!” said Malluch, laughing.
“No,” answered Ben-Hur, as quickly. “I will do what better becomes a man born to the heritage of Jacob—I will humble mine enemy in a most public place. But,” he added, impatiently, “we are losing time. How can we most quickly reach the tents of the sheik?”
Malluch took a moment for reflection.
“It is best we go straight to the village, which is fortunately near by; if two swift camels are to be had for hire there, we will be on the road but an hour.”
“Let us about it, then.”