For about a year after his success, his power and influence increased, until the whole of the tribes between Mecca and Medinah had been won over.  Then came a defeat.  The Meccans had been nursing their bitterness, and at last, just over two years after the victory of Badr, it found its outlet in an expedition again Mohammed.  The Moslem forces were rallied, and under the prophet’s leadership sallied forth to meet the Meccans.  A fierce battle ensued, in which at first the Moslems had the advantage, and the Meccans were forced to fly.  But they had learned many lessons in the fight at Badr, and had posted some of their cavalry in such a position that, when the Moslem order was disturbed in their pursuit of the enemy, they made a charge upon their rear.  The fleeing Meccans turned, and the Moslems found themselves between two attacks.  Then came the cry that Mohammed was killed!  Instead of increasing the Moslem disorder by discouragement, it made them fight more doggedly, for the majority were so committed to Islam that they cared not for life if their prophet was dead.  This prevented what must otherwise have meant absolute victory on the part of the Meccans, and a number of them, with Mohammed, who was only wounded, were able to retire to Medinah.  The Meccans were quite satisfied with the result, considering that the stigma of their defeat at Badr had been wiped out.  Later on, when Mohammed had sufficiently recovered of his wounds, he made a public appearance in the Mosque, where he was able to persuade his followers that their apparent defeat was really a victory!  The general who is able to persuade his forces that there is victory, even where there seems to be defeat, is one who will inspire them to fight against apparently impossible odds.  They will, indeed, never suffer defeat, but will fight on until annihilated by capture or death.  The secret of success even in the more pacific engagements of life lies in this principle—­to be undaunted in ardour, in spite of failure; to recognise in failure a step towards ultimate success.  Let a man be possessed with these, and victory is within his grasp, whether he recognises it or not.

After this, Mohammed did not scruple to employ the system of warfare by assassination, if warfare it can be called.  Some tribes, emboldened by the report of the Meccan success, began to treat Moslem emissaries with scant courtesy, and went so far as to murder some.  Mohammed retaliated by sending men to balance the scales in the same criminal way, particularly in treating with the Jews.  An idea had grown up in his mind that these people had determined to murder him.  This, with matters of minor importance, already referred to, at last led to an organised attempt to subjugate them.  A large, influential tribe was besieged; their date trees, lands, and property wantonly destroyed.  Eventually the whole tribe surrendered, and were glad to march away with what possessions their camels could carry.  This led