Hast--" "Thy command would be of more weight, and that would not move me.
I have said." Both became silent, waiting.
Ben-Hur looked often at the coming ship.

Arrius rested with closed eyes, indifferent.
"Art thou sure she is an enemy ?" Ben-Hur asked.
"I think so," was the reply.
"She stops, and puts a boat over the side." "Dost thou see her flag ?" "Is there no other sign by which she may be known if Roman ?" "If Roman, she hath a helmet over the mast's top." "Then be of cheer.

I see the helmet." Still Arrius was not assured.
"The men in the small boat are taking in the people afloat.
Pirates are not humane." "They may need rowers," Arrius replied, recurring, possibly, to times when he had made rescues for the purpose.
Ben-Hur was very watchful of the actions of the strangers.
"The ship moves off," he said.
"Whither ?" "Over on our right there is a galley which I take to be deserted.
The new-comer heads towards it.

Now she is alongside.

Now she is sending men aboard." Then Arrius opened his eyes and threw off his calm.
"Thank thou thy God," he said to Ben-Hur, after a look at the galleys, "thank thou thy God, as I do my many gods.