Tell me, I pray thee, if I bring rescue, wilt thou accept it ?" The Nazarene never so much as looked up or allowed the slightest sign of recognition; yet the something which when we are suffering is always telling it to such as look at us, though they be strangers, failed not now.

"Let him alone," it seemed to say; "he has been abandoned by his friends; the world has denied him; in bitterness of spirit, he has taken farewell of men; he is going he knows not where, and he cares not.

Let him alone." And to that Ben-Hur was now driven.

A dozen hands were upon him, and from all sides there was shouting, "He is one of them.

Bring him along; club him--kill him!" With a gust of passion which gave him many times his ordinary force, Ben-Hur raised himself, turned once about with arms outstretched, shook the hands off, and rushed through the circle which was fast hemming him in.