Thus his arms were disproportionately long; and when, to steady himself against the motion of the vessel, he took hold of anything near by, the size of his hands and their evident power compelled remark; so the wonder who and what he was mixed continually with a wish to know the particulars of his life.
In other words, his air cannot be better described than as a notice--This man has a story to tell.
The galley, in coming, had stopped at one of the ports of Cyprus, and picked up a Hebrew of most respectable appearance, quiet, reserved, paternal.

Ben-Hur ventured to ask him some questions; the replies won his confidence, and resulted finally in an extended conversation.
It chanced also that as the galley from Cyprus entered the receiving bay of the Orontes, two other vessels which had been sighted out in the sea met it and passed into the river at the same time; and as they did so both the strangers threw out small flags of brightest yellow.

There was much conjecture as to the meaning of the signals.
At length a passenger addressed himself to the respectable Hebrew for information upon the subject.
"Yes, I know the meaning of the flags," he replied; "they do not signify nationality--they are merely marks of ownership." "Has the owner many ships ?" "He has." "You know him ?" "I have dealt with him." The passengers looked at the speaker as if requesting him to go on.

Ben-Hur listened with interest.
"He lives in Antioch," the Hebrew continued, in his quiet way.
"That he is vastly rich has brought him into notice, and the talk about him is not always kind.

There used to be in Jerusalem a prince of very ancient family named Hur." Judah strove to be composed, yet his heart beat quicker.
"The prince was a merchant, with a genius for business.