256 MFK OF MOKAVMKP. 



the want of money, liorses, and provisions, — their 

 ripe fruits, und the scorching heat of sunnner. " Hell 

 is much hotter !" said the indignant apostle ; and 

 Avithout concealing from them the fatigues and 

 obstacles they must surmount, he proceeded with 

 determined intrepidity in the execution of his plan. 

 Painful and weary was the march of the distressed 

 army. Ten men rode by turns on the same camel ; 

 and thougli the historians of this campaign have 

 invented a copious shower in reply to the Prophet's 

 supphcations, the exhausted soldiers were reduced 

 to the necessity of drinking the water from the 

 belly of that useful animal. After ten days' journey 

 in a burning desert, the Believers reposed by the 

 waters and palm-groves of Tabuc, a town lying 

 midway between Medina and Damascus. While 

 encamped here, Mohammed was informed that the 

 Roman army had retired, which put a stop to the 

 prosecution of the war. The terror of his approach 

 is ascribed as the cause of their sudden retreat ; but 

 though the valiant Arab declared himself satisfied 

 with their peaceful intentions, it is more than prob- 

 able that in the languid and discontented state of 

 his own troops he declined to hazard liis fame and 

 his fortunes against the martial array of the Em- 

 peror of the East. An interval of twenty days was 

 employed in subduing or receiving the allegiance of 

 the neighbouring chiefs. Most of them being Chris 

 tians were allowed, on the terms of an annual tribute 

 the security of their persons, the property of theii 

 goods, the freedom of their trade, and the toleration 

 of their worship. Among the petty princes that 

 offered their personal obeisance at the camp of Ta- 

 buc was John, the Christian governor of Ailah, who 

 compounded for liberty of conscience and protection 

 to himself and his subjects by the yearly payment 

 of 3000 pieces of gold. As a mark of his favour, 

 the Prophet complimented him with a rich cloak or 

 mantle, which descended to the caliphs, and is said 



