But hardly were they out before the centurion in charge at the portico appeared, and in the gateway called to Ben-Hur, "Ho, insolent! Art thou a Roman or a Jew ?" Ben-Hur answered, "I am a son of Judah, born here.

What wouldst thou with me ?" "Stay and fight." "Singly ?" "As thou wilt!" Ben-Hur laughed derisively.
"O brave Roman! Worthy son of the bastard Roman Jove! I have no arms." "Thou shalt have mine," the centurion answered.

"I will borrow of the guard here." The people in hearing of the colloquy became silent; and from them the hush spread afar.

But lately Ben-Hur had beaten a Roman under the eyes of Antioch and the Farther East; now, could he beat another one under the eyes of Jerusalem, the honor might be vastly profitable to the cause of the New King.

He did not hesitate.