owed his safe escape to his own watchful circumspection, by which he again eluded Mohammed, and could now dispense with the help from Mecca which he had taken the precaution to request. As soon as Abu Sofyan had succeeded a second time in outwitting Mohammed, by placing his caravan beyond the reach of pursuit, he despatched a messenger to Abu Jahl, the commander of the Meccan troops, to apprise him of his safety and to advise his return home without advancing any further to meet him.

Well would it have been for Abu Jahl had he taken this advice from one who was evidently his superior in tact and prudence. Several of the chiefs who served under him, acted on Abu Sofyan's counsel and returned home with their men, consisting of several hundred. But the main army from which they separated, was still over 600 strong. Abu Jahl, as Ibn Ishak informs us, resolved on a different course, saying, 'We will not return, but proceed to Bedr to attend the annual feast and market there. We will stay three days, slay animals, feed the people, regale them with wine, and amuse ourselves with singing-girls. The Arabs, seeing our expedition and our concord, will highly esteem us for all future times: therefore let us march on!' This boastful speech of the commander is well calculated to prepare us for the ignominious overthrow of his army, a few days later, though double the number of the Moslems. Evidently the Meccan army was not guided by the wisest and ablest hands. They marched forward in the direction of a daring enemy, without a thought of fighting, bent only on feasting and pleasure, and desirous of profitably bartering the supply of leather and other goods they carried with them. When they arrived at Bedr, they found Mohammed and his determined followers already in possession of the wells.

What a different material these Moslems presented for the ensuing conflict! A horseman sent forth from the Koreish to reconnoitre them, gave the following description on his return: 'They are about 300 men, with no reserve. But know, O ye Koreish, that temptation brings destruction; for the camels of Medina carry sudden death with them. These are men who have no other protection or refuge but their sword. Surely, none of them will fall without having

first killed one of your number.' The army of Mecca had been looking forward to a kind of military promenade: that of Medina was terribly in earnest and ready to fight with the courage of despair. They felt that their very existence was at stake. A defeat of Mohammed was likely to prove crushing, and to lead to the dissolution of his whole party.

The conflict itself was commenced by the daring Moslems who forcibly prevented the Koreish from helping themselves to water, or approaching the wells which they were occupying. According to Arab fashion, the day of battle was mostly occupied with a series of single combats, in which several of the Meccan champions were killed by Hamza, Ali, and Obeida. Gradually the two armies drew nearer to each other. Mohammed had commanded his men not to attack till he gave the signal. Only in case the enemy should approach too near, they were to drive him back by a discharge of arrows. Having first ordered the line of battle himself, the Prophet retired to a hut prepared for him. Here a fleet camel was kept ready on which he might make his escape, in case of need. He anxiously prayed for Divine help, saying, 'O God, if this army perishes today, thou wilt be worshipped no more.' On the general charge being made, he incited his men to fight bravely, promising them that every one who, from love to God, persevered in battle till he was slain, should enter paradise without fail. Ibn Ishak gives us some instances, showing what effect such teaching had on his credulous followers. One Omeir, who was just eating some dates, called out, 'Then there lies nothing between me and paradise, but death at the hand of these people;' and, casting away his dates, he seized his sword and fought till he was killed. Another, Awf by name, asked Mohammed whereby man could cause joy to God. On being answered, 'By casting himself upon the enemy without any arms of defence,' he laid aside his armour, grasped his sword, and likewise fought till he was slain.

Against such fanatical heroism the Meccan army, which had come to Bedr not for risking, but for enjoying, life, had little chance of success. They cowardly turned their back