translating the engendered enthusiasm into imaginative fact, has woven a pattern of barbaric colours, wherein deeds are transformed by the spirit which prompts them.  The heroes panted for martyrdom, and each craved to be among the first to pour forth his blood in the sacred cause.  They crowded to battle on camels and on foot.  Abu Bekr in his zeal walked every step of the way, which he regarded as the road to supreme benediction.  Mahomet himself led his valorous band, mounted on a camel with Ali by his side, having before him two black flags borne by standard-bearers whose strength and bravery were the envy of the rest.  He possessed only seventy camels and two horses, and the riders were chosen by lot.  Behind marched or rode the flower of Islam’s warriors and statesmen—­Abu Bekr, Omar, Hamza, and Zeid, whose names already resounded through Islam for valiant deeds; Abdallah, with Mahomet’s chosen leaders of expeditions; the rank and file, three hundred strong, regardless of what perils might overtake them, intent on plunder and the upholding of their vigorous faith, sallied forth from Medina as soon as they could be equipped, and took the direct road to Mecca.  On reaching Safra, for reasons we are not told, they turned west to Bedr, a halting-place on the Syrian road, possibly hoping to catch the caravan on its journey westwards towards the sea.

But Abu Sofian was too quick for them.  Mahomet’s scouts had only reached Bedr, reconnoitered and retired, when Abu Sofian approached the well within its precincts and demanded of a man belonging to a neighbouring tribe if there were strangers in the vicinity.

“I have seen none but two men, O Chief,” he replied; “they came to the well to water their camels.”

But he had been bribed by Mahomet, and knew well they were Muslim.

Abu Sofian was silent, and looked around him carefully.  Suddenly he started up as he caught sight of their camels’ litter, wherein were visible the small date stones peculiar to Medinan palms.

“Camels from Yathreb!” he cried quickly; “these be the scouts of Mahomet.”  Then he gathered his company together and departed hastily towards the sea.  He despatched a messenger to Mecca to tell of the caravan’s safety, and a little later heard with joy of his countrymen’s progress to oppose Mahomet.

“Doth Mahomet indeed imagine that it will be this time as in the affair of the Hadramate (slain at Nakhla)?  Never!  He shall know that it is otherwise!”

But the army that caused such joy to Abu Sofian created nothing but apprehension in Mahomet’s camp.  He knew the caravan had eluded him, and now there was a greater force more than three times his own advancing on him.  Hurriedly he convened a council of war, whereat his whole following urged an immediate advance.  The excitement had now fully captured their tumultuous souls, and there was more danger for Mahomet in a retreat than in an attack.  An immediate advance was therefore decided upon, and Mahomet sent Ali, on the day before the battle, to reconnoitre, as they were nearing Bedr.  The same journey which told Abu Sofian of the presence of the Muslim also resulted for them in the capture of three water-carriers by Ali, who dragged them before Mahomet, where they were compelled to give the information he wanted, and from them he learned the disposition and strength of the enemy.