Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/451

Rh seated within it. If they were Balthasar and Iras! Should he make himself known to them? But it could not be: this was the Desert—and they were alone. But while he debated the question the long swinging stride of the camel brought its riders up to him. He heard the ringing of the tiny bells, and beheld the rich housings which bad been so attractive to the crowd at the Castalian fount. He beheld also the Ethiopian, always attendant upon the Egyptians. The tall brute stopped close by his horse, and Ben-Hur, looking up, lo! Iras herself under the raised curtain looking down at him, her great swimming eyes bright with astonishment and inquiry!

&quot;The blessing of the true God upon you!&quot; said Balthasar, in his tremulous voice.

&quot;And to thee and thine be the peace of the Lord,&quot; Ben-Hur replied.

&quot;My eyes are weak with years,&quot; said Balthasar; &quot;but they approve you that son of Hur whom lately I knew an honored guest in the tent of Ilderim the Generous.&quot;

&quot;And thou art that Balthasar, the wise Egyptian, whose speech concerning certain holy things in expectation is having so much to do with the finding me in this waste place. What dost thou here?&quot;

"He is never alone who is where God is—and God is everywhere,&quot; Balthasar answered, gravely; &quot;but in the sense of your asking, there is a caravan short way behind us going to Alexandria; and as it is to pass through Jerusalem, I thought best to avail myself of its company as far as the Holy City, whither I am journeying. This morning, however, in discontent with its slow movement slower because of a Roman cohort in attendance upon it we rose early, and ventured thus far in advance. As to robbers along the way, we are not afraid, for I have here a signet of Sheik Ilderim; against beasts of prey, God is our sufficient trust.&quot;

Ben-Hur bowed and said, &quot;The good sheik's signet is a safeguard wherever the wilderness extends, and the lion shall be swift that overtakes this king of his kind.&quot;

He patted the neck of the camel as he spoke.

&quot;Yet,&quot; said Iras, with a smile which was not lost upon