companions, is that under Obeida Ibn El Harith. His was the first banner reared by the prophet's hand. He was sent with 60 or 80 horsemen from amongst the emigrants against the unbelievers, without being joined by a single individual from amongst 'the Helpers.' They went as far as the water of Hejaz, below Tanijat el Murat, where they came upon a Koreishite caravan, already encamped and, therefore, in a position not so easily attacked. No conflict took place only Saad Ibn Abu Wakkas shot an arrow against them, reputed to be the first arrow shot in behalf of Islam. Then the Moslems retired, and were joined by two men from the caravan, who are represented as being already secret believers in Mohammed.

Soon after this failure, the prophet sent his uncle Hamza with 30 mounted emigrants, again unaccompanied by any of the Helpers, against a caravan of 300 mounted Meccans, headed by Abu Jahl and returning from Syria. Hamza came upon them near the shore of the Red Sea, on the territory of the Beni Johaina, from whom, by way of precaution, they had engaged a guard, under their chief Mejdi. Now as the Beni Johaina had a treaty with Medina, Mejdi placed himself between the two parties, and induced them to separate, without coming to blows. Ibn Ishak appends a remark to his account of the affair which is worth communicating, as throwing some light on the manner in which Mohammedan historians used their materials. It is to this effect: 'Some affirm Hamza's banner to have been the first reared by Mohammed, and that the expedition of Hamza and that of Abu Obeida took place contemporaneously, so that they became confounded. It is also asserted that Hamza mentioned himself, in a poem, as the first who received a banner from Mohammed. Now if he really said so, it must be true, as, of course, he only spoke the truth. God knows how it was. Still, we have learned from scholars that it was Obeida who received the first banner.'

Another marauding party was despatched, under Sand Ibn Abu Wakkas, to lie in wait for a Meccan caravan near Kharrar, and to seize the right moment for surprising it. This party was very small, consisting of twenty emigrants, according to Wakidi, or only of eight, according to Ibn

Ishak. As the caravan had already passed the day before they reached Kharrar, 'they returned without having seen an enemy.'

Seven expeditions had now been undertaken, four headed by Mohammed himself and three by his trusted lieutenants but all had signally failed. Not one of them had inflicted any perceptible damage on the Koreish, or returned home laden with spoil. Such want of success ill comported with the pretence that these marauding expeditions were all organised by God's chosen ambassador and with a special Divine sanction. In order to ensure success, and thereby to justify his assumed position before the eyes of his followers, Mohammed resolved on a very bold and hazardous step. He organised a raid against the Koreish for the very month which had been kept sacred from ancient times by all the Arabs.

This season of universal peace, during which all wars had to cease and enemies met each other like friends, was the middle month of the lunar year, called in consequence Rejeb el Arab, i.e. 'the honoured (month) of the Arabs.' Mohammed knew that the Koreish, relying on the sacredness of this ancient usage, would not suspect any danger, and suffer their caravans to depart without special guards. But he was also equally aware that he could not depend on the general approval of his intended violation of a popular custom, even amongst his own followers. His cousin Abu Obeida declined the honour he offered him of heading the expedition. He then fixed his choice on Abd Allah Ibn Jahsh and nominated him for the occasion as the 'Commander of the Faithful' (Emir el Mumenin), a title afterwards retained by the Califs. Sealed orders were put into his hands, with the injunction not to open them till he had advanced two days on his march. Abd Allah had with him only twelve, or, according to Ibn Ishak's account, only eight emigrants, mounted on six camels. On breaking the seal of his instructions at the time appointed, he read as follows: 'Go in the name and with the blessing of God to Nakhla (a place between Mecca and Taif), and there lie in wait for the Koreishite caravans. Compel none of thy men to come with thee; but carry out my order with those who follow thee voluntarily.' All his companions