The king had taken him away, and he was no more seen." "But they found some proofs, surely," said Ben-Hur, eagerly.
"Yes, proofs written in blood--a village in mourning; mothers yet crying for their little ones.

You must know, when Herod heard of our flight, he sent down and slew the youngest-born of the children of Bethlehem.

Not one escaped.

The faith of my messengers was confirmed; but they came to me saying the Child was dead, slain with the other innocents." "Dead!" exclaimed Ben-Hur, aghast.

"Dead, sayest thou ?" "Nay, my son, I did not say so.