About the time the couriers departed from Messala's door with the despatches (it being yet the early morning hour), Ben-Hur entered Ilderim's tent.

He had taken a plunge into the lake, and breakfasted, and appeared now in an under-tunic, sleeveless, and with skirt scarcely reaching to the knee.
The sheik saluted him from the divan.
"I give thee peace, son of Arrius," he said, with admiration, for, in truth, he had never seen a more perfect illustration of glowing, powerful, confident manhood.

"I give thee peace and good-will.
The horses are ready, I am ready.

And thou ?" "The peace thou givest me, good sheik, I give thee in return.
I thank thee for so much good-will.

I am ready." Ilderim clapped his hands.
"I will have the horses brought.