1. CHAPTER I.
JERUSALEM GOES OUT TO A PROPHET.
THE meeting took place in the khan of Bethany as appointed. Thence
Ben-Hur went with the Galileans into their country, where his exploits
up in the old Market-place gave him fame and influence. Before the
winter was gone he raised three legions, and organized them after
the Roman pattern. He could have had as many more, for the martial
spirit of that gallant people never slept. The proceeding, however,
required careful guarding as against both Rome and Herod Antipas.
Contenting himself for the present with the three, he strove to
train and educate them for systematic action. For that purpose he
carried the officers over into the lava-beds of Trachonitis, and
taught them the use of arms, particularly the javelin and sword, and
the manoeuvring peculiar to the legionary formation; after which he
sent them home as teachers. And soon the training became a pastime
of the people.
As may be thought, the task called for patience, skill, zeal, faith,
and devotion on his part-qualities into which the power of
inspiring others in matters of difficulty is always resolvable; and
never man possessed them in greater degree or used them to better
effect. How he laboured! And with utter denial of self! Yet withal
he would have failed but for the support he had from Simonides, who
furnished him arms and money, and from Ilderim, who kept watch and
brought him supplies. And still he would have failed but for the
genius of the Galileans.
Under that name were comprehended the four tribes-Asher, Zebulon,
Issachar, and Naphthali-and the districts originally set apart to
them. The Jew born in sight of the Temple despised these brethren of
the north; but the Talmud itself has said, "The Galilean loves honour,
and the Jew money."
Hating Rome fervidly as they loved their own country, in every
revolt they were first in the field and last to leave it. One
hundred and fifty thousand Galilean youths perished in the final war
with Rome. For the great festal days they went up to Jerusalem
marching and camping like armies; yet they were liberal in
sentiment, and even tolerant to heathenism. In Herod's beautiful
cities, which were Roman in all things, in Sepphoris and Tiberias
especially, they took pride, and in the building them gave loyal
support. They had for fellow-citizens men from the outside world
everywhere, and lived in peace with them. To the glory of the Hebrew
name they contributed poets like the singer of the Song of Songs,
and prophets like Hosea.
Upon such a people-so quick, so proud, so brave, so devoted, so
imaginative-a tale like that of the coming of the King was
all-powerful. That he was coming to put Rome down would have been
sufficient to enlist them in the scheme proposed by Ben-Hur; but when,
besides, they were assured he was to rule the world, more mighty
than Caesar, more magnificent than Solomon, and that the rule was to
last forever, the appeal was irresistible, and they vowed themselves
to the cause, body and soul. They asked Ben-Hur his authority for
the sayings, and he quoted the prophets, and told them of Balthasar in
waiting over in Antioch; and they were satisfied, for it was the old
much-loved legend of the Messiah, familiar to them almost as the
name of the Lord; the long-cherished dream with a time fixed for its
realization. The King was not merely coming now; he was at hand.
So with Ben-Hur the winter months rolled by, and spring came, with
gladdening showers blown over from the summering sea in the west;
and by that time so earnestly and successfully had he toiled that he
could say to himself and his followers, "Let the good King come. He
has only to tell us where he will have his throne set up. We have
the sword-hands to keep it for him."
And in all his dealings with the many men they knew him only as a
son of Judah, and by that name.
* * * * *
One evening, over in Trachonitis, Ben-Hur was sitting with some of
his Galileans at the mouth of the cave in which he quartered, when
an Arab courier rode to him, and delivered a letter. Breaking the
package, he read-
"JERUSALEM, Nisan IV.
"A prophet has appeared who men say is Elias. He has been in the
wilderness for years, and to our eyes he is a prophet; and such also
is his speech, the burden of which is of one much greater than
himself, who, he says, is to come presently, and for whom he is now
waiting on the eastern shore of the River Jordan. I have been to see
and hear him, and the one he is waiting for is certainly the King
you are awaiting. Come and Judge for yourself.
"All Jerusalem is going out to the prophet, and with many people
else the shore on which he abides is like Mount Olivet in the last
days of the Passover.
"MALLUCH."
Ben-Hur's face flushed with joy.
"By this word, O my friends," he said-"by this word, our waiting is
at end. The herald of the King has appeared and announced him."
Upon hearing the letter read, they also rejoiced at the promise it
held out.
"Get ready now," he added, "and in the morning set your faces
homeward; when arrived there, send word to those under you, and bid
them be ready to assemble as I may direct. For myself and you, I
will go see if the King be indeed at hand, and send you report. Let
us, in the meantime, live in the pleasure of the promise."
Going into the cave, he addressed a letter to Ilderim, and another
to Simonides, giving notice of the news received, and of his purpose
to go up immediately to Jerusalem. The letters he despatched by
swift messengers. When night fell, and the stars of direction came
out, he mounted, and with an Arab guide set out for the Jordan,
intending to strike the track of the caravans between Rabbath-Ammon
and Damascus.
The guide was sure, and Aldebaran swift; so by midnight the two were
out of the lava fastness speeding southward.