In front of Ben-Hur there was a forest of cypress-trees, each a column tall and straight as a mast.

Venturing into the shady precinct, he heard a trumpet gayly blown, and an instant after saw lying upon the grass close by the countryman whom he had run upon in the road going to the temples.

The man arose, and came to him.
"I give you peace again," he said, pleasantly.
"Thank you," Ben-Hur replied, then asked, "Go you my way ?" "I am for the stadium, if that is your way." "The stadium!" "Yes.

The trumpet you heard but now was a call for the competitors." "Good friend," said Ben-Hur, frankly, "I admit my ignorance of the Grove; and if you will let me be your follower, I will be glad." "That will delight me.

Hark! I hear the wheels of the chariots.
They are taking the track." Ben-Hur listened a moment, then completed the introduction by laying his hand upon the man's arm, and saying, "I am the son of Arrius, the duumvir, and thou ?" "I am Malluch, a merchant of Antioch." "Well, good Malluch, the trumpet, and the gride of wheels, and the prospect of diversion excite me.