The heat was great, yet all on board who could avail themselves of the privilege were on deck--Ben-Hur among others.
The five years had brought the young Jew to perfect manhood.

Though the robe of white linen in which he was attired somewhat masked his form, his appearance was unusually attractive.

For an hour and more he had occupied a seat in the shade of the sail, and in that time several fellow-passengers of his own nationality had tried to engage him in conversation, but without avail.

His replies to their questions had been brief, though gravely courteous, and in the Latin tongue.
The purity of his speech, his cultivated manners, his reticence, served to stimulate their curiosity the more.

Such as observed him closely were struck by an incongruity between his demeanor, which had the ease and grace of a patrician, and certain points of his person.