9. CHAPTER IX.
THE CHARIOT RACE DISCUSSED.
As a rule, there is no surer way to the dislike of men than to
behave well where they have behaved badly. In this instance,
happily, Malluch was an exception to the rule. The affair he had
just witnessed raised Ben-Hur in his estimation, since he could not
deny him courage and address; could he now get some insight into the
young man's history, the results of the day would not be all
unprofitable to good master Simonides.
On the latter point, referring to what he had as yet learned, two
facts comprehended it all-the subject of his investigation was a Jew,
and the adopted son of a famous Roman. Another conclusion which
might be of importance was beginning to formulate itself in the shrewd
mind of the emissary; between Messala and the son of the duumvir there
was a connection of some kind. But what was it?-and how could it be
reduced to assurance? With all his sounding, the ways and means of
solution were not at call. In the heat of the perplexity, Ben-Hur
himself came to his help. He laid his hand on Malluch's arm and drew
him out of the crowd, which was already going back to its interest
in the grey old priest and the mystic fountain.
"Good Malluch," he said, stopping, "may a man forget his mother?"
The question was abrupt and without direction, and therefore of
the kind which leaves the person addressed in a state of confusion.
Malluch looked into Ben-Hur's face for a hint of meaning, but saw,
instead, two bright-red spots, one on each cheek, and in his eyes
traces of what might have been repressed tears; then he answered,
mechanically, "No!" adding, with fervour, "never;" and a moment after,
when he began to recover himself, "If he is an Israelite, never!"
And when at length he was completely recovered-"My first lesson in
the synagogue was the Shema; my next was the saying of the son of
Sirach, 'Honour thy father with thy whole soul, and forget not the
sorrows of thy mother.'"
The red spots on Ben-Hur's face deepened.
"The words bring my childhood back again; and, Malluch, they prove
you a genuine Jew. I believe I can trust you."
Ben-Hur let go the arm he was holding, and caught the folds of the
gown covering his own breast, and pressed them close, as if to smother
a pain, or a feeling there as sharp as a pain.
"My father," he said, "bore a good name, and was not without
honour in Jerusalem, where he dwelt. My mother, at his death, was in
the prime of womanhood; and it is not enough to say of her she was
good and beautiful: in her tongue was the law of kindness, and her
works were the praise of all in the gates, and she smiled at days to
come. I had a little sister, and she and I were the family, and we
were so happy that I, at least, have never seen harm in the saying
of the old rabbi, 'God could not be everywhere, and, therefore, he
made mothers.' One day an accident happened to a Roman in authority as
he was riding past our house at the head of a cohort; the
legionaries burst the gate and rushed in and seized us. I have not
seen my mother or sister since. I cannot say they are dead or
living. I do not know what became of them. But, Malluch, the man in
the chariot yonder was present at the separation; he gave us over to
the captors; he heard my mother's prayer for her children, and he
laughed when they dragged her away. Hardly may one say which graves
deepest in memory, love or hate. To-day I knew him afar-and, Malluch-"
He caught the listener's arm again.
"And, Malluch, he knows and takes with him now the secret I would
give my life for: he could tell if she lives, and where she is, and
her condition; if she-no, they-much sorrow has made the two as
one-if they are dead, he could tell where they died, and of what, and
where their bones await my finding."
"And will he not?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I am a Jew, and he is a Roman."
"But Romans have tongues, and Jews, though ever so despised, have
methods to beguile them."
"For such as he? No; and, besides, the secret is one of state. All
my father's property was confiscated and divided."
Malluch nodded his head slowly, much as to admit the argument;
then he asked anew, "Did he not recognize you?"
"He could not. I was sent to death in life, and have been long since
accounted of the dead."
"I wonder you did not strike him," said Malluch, yielding to a touch
of passion.
"That would have been to put him past serving me forever. I would
have had to kill him, and Death, you know, keeps secrets better even
than a guilty Roman."
The man who, with so much to avenge, could so calmly put such an
opportunity aside must be confident of his future or have ready some
better design, and Malluch's interest changed with the thought; it
ceased to be that of an emissary in duty bound to another. Ben-Hur was
actually asserting a claim upon him for his own sake. In other
words, Malluch was preparing to serve him with good heart and from
downright admiration.
After brief pause, Ben-Hur resumed speaking.
"I would not take his life, good Malluch; against that extreme the
possession of the secret is for the present, at least, his
safeguard; yet I may punish him, and so you give me help, I will try."
"He is a Roman," said Malluch, without hesitation; "and I am of
the tribe of Judah. I will help you. If you choose, put me under oath-under the most solemn oath."
"Give me your hand, that will suffice."
As their hands fell apart, Ben-Hur said, with lightened feeling,
"That I would charge you with is not difficult, good friend; neither
is it dreadful to conscience. Let us move on."
They took the road which led to the right across the meadow spoken
of in the description of the coming to the fountain. Ben-Hur was first
to break the silence.
"Do you know Sheik Ilderim the Generous?"
"Yes."
"Where is his Orchard of Palms? or, rather, Malluch, how far is it
beyond the village of Daphne?"
Malluch was touched by a doubt; he recalled the prettiness of the
favour shown him by the woman at the fountain, and wondered if he
who had the sorrows of a mother in mind was about to forget them for a
lure of love; yet he replied, "The Orchard of Palms lies beyond the
village two hours by horse, and one by a swift camel."
"Thank you; and to your knowledge once more. Have the games of which
you told me been widely published? and when will they take place?"
The questions were suggestive; and if they did not restore Malluch
his confidence, they at least stimulated his curiosity.
"Oh yes, they will be of ample splendour. The prefect is rich, and
could afford to lose his place; yet, as is the way with successful
men, his love of riches is nowise diminished; and to gain a friend
at court, if nothing more, he must make ado for the Consul
Maxentius, who is coming hither to make final preparations for a
campaign against the Parthians. The money there is in the preparations
the citizens of Antioch know from experience; so they have had
permission to join the prefect in the honours intended for the great
man. A month ago heralds went to the four quarters to proclaim the
opening of the Circus for the celebration. The name of the prefect
would be of itself good guarantee of variety and magnificence,
particularly throughout the East; but when to his promises Antioch
joins hers, all the islands and the cities by the sea stand assured of
the extraordinary, and will be here in person or by their most
famous professionals. The fees offered are royal."
"And the Circus-I have heard it is second only to the Maximus."
"At Rome, you mean. Well, ours seats two hundred thousand people,
yours seats seventy-five thousand more; yours is of marble, so is
ours; in arrangement they are exactly the same."
"Are the rules the same?"
Malluch smiled.
"If Antioch dared be original, son of Arrius, Rome would not be
the mistress she is. The laws of the Circus Maximus govern except in
one particular: there but four chariots may start at once, here all
start without reference to number."
"That is the practice of the Greeks," said Ben-Hur.
"Yes, Antioch is more Greek than Roman."
"So then, Malluch, I may choose my own chariot?"
"Your own chariot and horses. There is no restriction upon either."
While replying, Malluch observed the thoughtful look on Ben-Hur's
face give place to one of satisfaction.
"One thing more now, O Malluch. When will the celebration be?"
"Ah! your pardon," the other answered. "To-morrow-and the next
day," he said, counting aloud, "then, to speak in the Roman style,
if the sea-gods be propitious, the consul arrives. Yes, the sixth
day from this we have the games."
"The time is short, Malluch, but it is enough." The last words
were spoken decisively. "By the prophets of our old Israel! I will
take to the reins again. Stay! a condition; is there assurance that
Messala will be a competitor?"
Malluch saw now the plan, and all its opportunities for the
humiliation of the Roman; and he had not been true descendant of Jacob
if, with all his interest wakened, he had not rushed to a
consideration of the chances. His voice actually trembled as he
said, "Have you the practice?"
"Fear not, my friend. The winners in the Circus Maximus have held
their crowns these three years at my will. Ask them-ask the best of
them, and they will tell you so. In the last great games the emperor
himself offered me his patronage if I would take his horses in hand
and run them against the entries of the world."
"But you did not?"
Malluch spoke eagerly.
"I-I am a Jew"-Ben-Hur seemed shrinking within himself as he
spoke-"and, though I wear a Roman name, I dared not do professionally
a thing to sully my father's name in the cloisters and courts of the
Temple. In the palaestrae I could indulge practice which, if
followed into the circus, would become an abomination; and if I take
to the course here, Malluch, I swear it will not be for the prize or
the winner's fee."
"Hold-swear not so!" cried Malluch. "The fee is ten thousand
sestertii-a fortune for life!"
"Not for me, though the prefect trebled it fifty times. Better
than that, better than all the imperial revenues from the first year
of the first Caesar-I will make this race to humble my enemy.
Vengeance is permitted by the law."
Malluch smiled and nodded as if saying, "Right, right-trust me a
Jew to understand a Jew."
"The Messala will drive," he said, directly. "He is committed to the
race in many ways-by publication in the streets, and in the baths and
theatres, the palace and barracks; and, to fix him past retreat, his
name is on the tablets of every young spendthrift in Antioch."
"In wager, Malluch?"
"Yes, in wager; and every day he comes ostentatiously to practise,
as you saw him."
"Ah! and that is the chariot, and those the horses, with which he
will make the race? Thank you, thank you, Malluch! You have served
me well already. I am satisfied. Now be my guide to the Orchard of
Palms, and give me introduction to Sheik Ilderim the Generous."
"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 Caesar; 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."
The village was an assemblage of palaces in beautiful gardens,
interspersed with khans of princely sort. Dromedaries were happily
secured, and upon them the journey to the famous Orchard of Palms
was begun.