233 LIVE OF MOHAMMEr» 



reputation. With his usual confidence he had pre* 

 dieted the entire overthrow of the idohiters ; and 

 presented one of his officers with a sword, on the 

 blade of which " certain victory" was engraven. 

 The Moslems, unaccustomed to reverses, were 

 greatly chagi'ined. Some murmured at the loss of 

 their friends and relations ; others expressed doubts 

 as to his pretensions to tlie Divine favour ; since, 

 had he been a true apostle. Heaven, they said, would 

 not have suftered the infidels to triumph over him 

 in battle. To these objections Mohammed had a 

 ready answer. The clamours of those who were 

 not altogether satisfied with the sublime doctrines 

 of eternal fate and the felicities of martyrdom, he 

 put to silence by throwing the whole blame and dis- 

 grace of the loss on their own sins. 



Since the treaty of alliance between the Jews and 

 Moslems, at their settlement in Medina, they had 

 lived in peace and harmony, enjoying mutual liberty 

 of conscience, and all the privileges of free citizens. 

 An insult to an Arabian milkmaid interrupted this 

 cordiality, and occasioned a war of extermination 

 against the people of the synagogue. The tribe of 

 Kainoka were driven into exile, and all their property 

 confiscated. The Nadhirites possessed a strong 

 fortress three miles from Medina. To this Mo- 

 hanmied laid siege, and for six days it maintained 

 an obstinate defence ; but seeing no prospect of as- 

 sistance, while their palm-groves were laid in ashes, 

 they agreed to capitulate on condition of marching 

 out with their lives, and as much of their moveables 

 as a single camel could export. The remainder of 

 the spoil fell into the hands of the besiegers ; and, 

 contrary to express law, instead of a fifth, Moham- 

 med appropriated the whole booty to himself, to be 

 distributed at pleasure. This stratagem was an ex- 

 pedient to recompense the devoted fidelity of the 

 Refugees, now become his favourite disciples. The 

 policy was not without danger ; but the fifty-ninth 



