Ben-Hur ran the ground over, with a distinct foresight of the many ways in which it would be possible for his enemy to interfere with him in the work he had undertaken for the King who was coming.

Why not he resort to the Roman's methods?
The man hired to kill him could be hired to strike back.

It was in his power to offer higher wages.

The temptation was strong; and, half yielding, he chanced to look down at his late antagonist lying still, with white upturned face, so like himself.

A light came to him, and he asked, "Thord, what was Messala to give you for killing me ?" "A thousand sestertii." "You shall have them yet; and so you do now what I tell you, I will add three thousand more to the sum." The giant reflected aloud, "I won five thousand yesterday; from the Roman one--six.