Caesar offered him his patronage.

I taught him the very trick you played on this one here--a trick impossible except to a hand and arm like mine.

It has won me many a crown." "I am that son of Arrius." Thord drew nearer, and viewed him carefully; then his eyes brightened with genuine pleasure, and, laughing, he held out his hand.
"Ha, ha, ha! He told me I would find a Jew here--a Jew--a dog of a Jew--killing whom was serving the gods." "Who told you so ?" asked Ben-Hur, taking the hand.
"He--Messala--ha, ha, ha!" "When, Thord ?" "Last night." "I thought he was hurt." "He will never walk again.

On his bed he told me between groans." A very vivid portrayal of hate in a few words; and Ben-Hur saw that the Roman, if he lived, would still be capable and dangerous, and follow him unrelentingly.

Revenge remained to sweeten the ruined life; therefore the clinging to fortune lost in the wager with Sanballat.