CHAPTER IX
As a rule, there is no surer way to the dislike of men than tobehave well where they have behaved badly. In this instance,happily, Malluch was an exception to the rule. The affair he hadjust witnessed raised Ben-Hur in his estimation, since he couldnot deny him courage and address; could he now get some insightinto the young man's history, the results of the day would notbe all unprofitable to good master Simonides.
On the latter point, referring to what he had as yet learned, twofacts comprehended it all--the subject of his investigation wasa Jew, and the adopted son of a famous Roman. Another conclusionwhich might be of importance was beginning to formulate itselfin the shrewd mind of the emissary; between Messala and the sonof the duumvir there was a connection of some kind. But whatwas it?--and how could it be reduced to assurance? With all hissounding, the ways and means of solution were not at call. In theheat of the perplexity, Ben-Hur himself came to his help. He laidhis hand on Malluch's arm and drew him out of the crowd, which wasalready going back to its interest in the gray old priest and themystic fountain.
"Good Malluch," he said, stopping, "may a man forget his mother?"
The question was abrupt and without direction, and therefore ofthe 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 eyestraces of what might have been repressed tears; then he answered,mechanically, "No!" adding, with fervor, "never;" and a momentafter, when he began to recover himself, "If he is an Israelite,never!" And when at length he was completely recovered--"My firstlesson in the synagogue was the Shema; my next was the saying ofthe son of Sirach, 'Honor thy father with thy whole soul, and forgetnot the sorrows of thy mother.'"
The red spots on Ben-Hur's face deepened.
"The words bring my childhood back again; and, Malluch, they proveyou a genuine Jew. I believe I can trust you."
Ben-Hur let go the arm he was holding, and caught the folds ofthe gown covering his own breast, and pressed them close, as if tosmother a pain, or a feeling there as sharp as a pain.
"My father," he said, "bore a good name, and was not without honorin Jerusalem, where he dwelt. My mother, at his death, was in theprime of womanhood; and it is not enough to say of her she was goodand beautiful: in her tongue was the law of kindness, and her workswere 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 sohappy that I, at least, have never seen harm in the saying of theold rabbi, 'God could not be everywhere, and, therefore, he mademothers.' One day an accident happened to a Roman in authority ashe was riding past our house at the head of a cohort; the legionariesburst the gate and rushed in and seized us. I have not seen my motheror sister since. I cannot say they are dead or living. I do not knowwhat became of them. But, Malluch, the man in the chariot yonder waspresent at the separation; he gave us over to the captors; he heardmy mother's prayer for her children, and he laughed when they draggedher away. Hardly may one say which graves deepest in memory, love orhate. 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 wouldgive my life for: he could tell if she lives, and where she is,and her condition; if she--no, THEY--much sorrow has made thetwo 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 longsince accounted of the dead."
"I wonder you did not strike him," said Malluch, yielding to atouch of passion.
"That would have been to put him past serving me forever. I wouldhave had to kill him, and Death, you know, keeps secrets bettereven than a guilty Roman."
The man who, with so much to avenge, could so calmly put suchan opportunity aside must be confident of his future or haveready some better design, and Malluch's interest changed withthe thought; it ceased to be that of an emissary in duty boundto another. Ben-Hur was actually asserting a claim upon him forhis own sake. In other words, Malluch was preparing to serve himwith good heart and from downright admiration.
After brief pause, Ben-Hur resumed speaking.
"I would not take his life, good Malluch; against that extremethe 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 ofthe tribe of Judah. I will help you. If you choose, put me underoath--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 spokenof in the description of the coming to the fountain. Ben-Hur wasfirst to break the silence.
"Do you know Sheik Ilderim the Generous?"
"Yes."
"Where is his Orchard of Palms? or, rather, Malluch, how far isit beyond the village of Daphne?"
Malluch was touched by a doubt; he recalled the prettiness of thefavor shown him by the woman at the fountain, and wondered if hewho had the sorrows of a mother in mind was about to forget themfor a lure of love; yet he replied, "The Orchard of Palms liesbeyond the village two hours by horse, and one by swift camel."
"Thank you; and to your knowledge once more. Have the games ofwhich you told me been widely published? and when will they takeplace?"
The questions were suggestive; and if they did not restore Malluch hisconfidence, they at least stimulated his curiosity.
"Oh yes, they will be of ample splendor. The prefect is rich,and could afford to lose his place; yet, as is the way withsuccessful men, his love of riches is nowise diminished; and togain a friend at court, if nothing more, he must make ado for theConsul Maxentius, who is coming hither to make final preparationsfor a campaign against the Parthians. The money there is in thepreparations the citizens of Antioch know from experience; so theyhave had permission to join the prefect in the honors intended forthe great man. A month ago heralds went to the four quarters toproclaim the opening of the Circus for the celebration. The nameof the prefect would be of itself good guarantee of variety andmagnificence, particularly throughout the East; but when to hispromises Antioch joins hers, all the islands and the cities bythe sea stand assured of the extraordinary, and will be here inperson or by their most famous professionals. The fees offeredare 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 isours; 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 bethe mistress she is. The laws of the Circus Maximus govern exceptin one particular: there but four chariots may start at once,here all start without reference to number."
"That is the practise 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'sface 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 nextday," he said, counting aloud, "then, to speak in the Roman style,if the sea-gods be propitious, the consul arrives. Yes, the sixthday from this we have the games."
"The time is short, Malluch, but it is enough." The last wordswere spoken decisively. "By the prophets of our old Israel! I willtake to the reins again. Stay! a condition; is there assurance thatMessala will be a competitor?"
Malluch saw now the plan, and all its opportunities for thehumiliation of the Roman; and he had not been true descendantof Jacob if, with all his interest wakened, he had not rushedto a consideration of the chances. His voice actually trembledas he said, "Have you the practise?"
"Fear not, my friend. The winners in the Circus Maximus have heldtheir crowns these three years at my will. Ask them--ask the best ofthem--and they will tell you so. In the last great games the emperorhimself offered me his patronage if I would take his horses in handand 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 himselfas he spoke--"and, though I wear a Roman name, I dared notdo professionally a thing to sully my father's name in thecloisters and courts of the Temple. In the palaestrae I couldindulge practise which, if followed into the Circus, would becomean abomination; and if I take to the course here, Malluch, I swearit will not be for the prize or the winner's fee."
"Hold--swear not so!" cried Malluch. "The fee is ten thousandsestertii--a fortune for life!"
"Not for me, though the prefect trebled it fifty times. Better thanthat, better than all the imperial revenues from the first yearof 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 mea Jew to understand a Jew."
"The Messala will drive," he said, directly. "He is committed tothe race in many ways--by publication in the streets, and in thebaths and theaters, the palace and barracks; and, to fix him pastretreat, his name is on the tablets of every young spendthrift inAntioch."
"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 whichhe will make the race? Thank you, thank you, Malluch! You haveserved me well already. I am satisfied. Now be my guide to theOrchard of Palms, and give me introduction to Sheik Ilderim theGenerous."
"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 thendrove up, and I might not look at anything else; yet I recognizedthem as of the blood which is the wonder as well as the glory ofthe deserts. I never saw the kind before, except in the stablesof Caesar; but once seen, they are always to be known. To-morrow,upon meeting, I will know you, Malluch, though you do not so muchas salute me; I will know you by your face, by your form, by yourmanner; and by the same signs I will know them, and with the samecertainty. If all that is said of them be true, and I can bringtheir spirit under control of mine, I can--"
"Win the sestertii!" said Malluch, laughing.
"No," answered Ben-Hur, as quickly. "I will do what better becomesa man born to the heritage of Jacob--I will humble mine enemy in amost 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 fortunatelynear by; if two swift camels are to be had for hire there, we willbe 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 happilysecured, and upon them the journey to the famous Orchard of Palmswas begun.