The Days of Mohammed

shut eyes e

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ave the myrrh-bus

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in Medina was simply marvelous. Converts joined them every day, while those who were not prepa

fumed cushions, a fan in his hand and a long pipe at his mouth, too languid, too listless, even to talk; listening to the soft murmur of Nature's music, the night-wind sighing through the trees beneath a star-gemmed sky, the song of a solitary bulbul warbling plaintively among the myr

he end of l

ife all

us a

nty, was appointed to take a journey to Mecca for the purpose of meeting with Mohamm

e, set out posthaste after Mohammed's party, eager to get even a pressure of the hand from Amzi, his heart's brother, who he felt sure wo

rtainty reined their steeds on the verge of a cliff that seemed to overhang a deep and narrow basin, bounded by flinty rock which even in the darkness loo

ingerly; and above, outlined in intense black against the dark sky, were numerous peaks and pinnacles and castellated summits, such as the Arabs love to people with all manner of geni

ice from the air a

ce. It came nearer and nearer, and the two lone

rty was about to make a halt in the dark basin; and should it prove to be a band of hill-robbers, Yusuf and his companion were in a precarious position, for the slightest sound made by them or the

on, halting at the other end of the ravine. A call was sounded and at once answered by the body immediately below. The new-com

of Medina, who at once opened negotiations. After the salutations

leader, and defend you to the last extremity, even as

aid Mohammed. "My work is not yet ended in Mecca, yet ere long

u are recalled to your own dis

is my blood. Your ruin is my ruin. We are bound to each other by the ti

heralds of his faith, and all, placing their hand

rvice, what shall be our rew

eternal rest and felicity, odors of swe

you, Mohammed, who can dare to promise that which

deed the nest of some daring mountain chief, had noiselessly descended to an

mon of the rock, were seized with sudden panic; others shouted excitedly, "Spies! spies!" and the as

only response was the beat of hoofs flying in every direction, and the dull thud of the camels' padded feet. There was not

ill. Mohammed still continued to preach, now from the hill

nce married a widow, Sawda, and become betrothed to a child

of the state than he determined to crush Mohammed, and exterminate his religion at any cost. A plot for the assassination of the prophet was formed. Several of the tribe of the Koreish and their allies were a

lar of a house, and at a time but the space of three hour

ict. He had now come down to steal food, for necessity, in his eyes, rendered any such proceeding pardonable; and, perceiving a mysterious light issuing from a c

nd beseech their protection as the price of his services as a savior of the prophet's life. Accordingly, a couple of hours before the time a

, to deceive the spies, and keep them as long as possible in check, wrapped himself in the prop

Ali threw the cloak off and sat up. In the meantime the fugitives had reached the cav

e Hegira, or Hejra, in the year 622 A.D. and