Some of the spectators nearest him began to laugh.
"They should respect his beard at least.

Who is he ?" asked Ben-Hur.
"A mighty man from the Desert, somewhere beyond Moab, and owner of camels in herds, and horses descended, they say, from the racers of the first Pharaoh--Sheik Ilderim by name and title." Thus Malluch replied.
The driver meanwhile exerted himself to quiet the four, but without avail.
Each ineffectual effort excited the sheik the more.
"Abaddon seize him!" yelled the patriarch, shrilly.

"Run! fly! do you hear, my children ?" The question was to his attendants, apparently of the tribe.

"Do you hear?
They are Desert-born, like yourselves.

Catch them--quick!" The plunging of the animals increased.
"Accursed Roman!" and the sheik shook his fist at the driver.