Stories by Famous Authors Illustrated #11

A proud young prince of Jerusalem clashes with his Roman-born childhood friend over the occupation of Judea, an encounter that spirals into tragic accusation and separation when a tile falls upon the new governor. Condemned as an assassin, Ben-Hur is torn from his family and condemned to years of brutal servitude as a galley slave, while his former friend Messala stands aside—a betrayal that ignites an all-consuming desire for vengeance. As Ben-Hur endures the living hell of the oars, his path toward retribution and his deeper destiny begins to unfold.

A Persian barber and a woodcutter become locked in a battle of wits over the literal terms of their bargain—first over a shipment of wood, then over what constitutes a valid customer. When the Caliph's judgment favors the barber's cunning interpretation of their deal, the woodcutter seeks whispered counsel that sets him up for a delicious reversal. In this clever tale from James Morier, the law proves to be a two-edged sword, and sometimes the best defense against a sharp bargainer is sharper thinking still.

When Midshipman Simple and his friend O'Brien escape from a French prison in the Ardennes during wartime, they must rely on quick thinking and clever disguises to evade capture and make their way back to England. From impersonating a gendarme to adopting the rags of traveling acrobats, the two sailors use their wits to slip through occupied territory and toward the coast. Based on Frederick Marryat's original work, this tale of resourcefulness and daring follows two determined men racing against time and circumstance.