Now he was at number one--the rattle of the iron links sounded horribly.

At last number sixty! Calm from despair, Ben-Hur held his oar at poise, and gave his foot to the officer.

Then the tribune stirred--sat up--beckoned to the chief.
A strong revulsion seized the Jew.

From the hortator, the great man glanced at him; and when he dropped his oar all the section of the ship on his side seemed aglow.

He heard nothing of what was said; enough that the chain hung idly from its staple in the bench, and that the chief, going to his seat, began to beat the sounding-board.