HISTORY OF THE WAHABEES. 297 



In the following year, they effected the total con- 

 quest of Hejaz. Saoud and Othman, after several 

 battles with Ghaleb, approached Mecca, and pitch- 

 ed their camp within an hour and a half's distance 

 of the city. The eastern suburb was attacked and 

 taken possession of, and from that point frequent 

 sallies were made into the town. The governor, 

 undismayed, defended himself with great bravery. 

 He laid a mine near his palace, which obliged the 

 assailants to make a temporary retreat. But the 

 supply of water was cut off by diverting the canal 

 of Arafat ; and the inhabitants, after a siege of two 

 or three months, were reduced to extreme necessity 

 for want of provisions. Dogs and cats were eagerly 

 devoured ; the only stores were at the disposal of 

 the sheriff and his warriors ; and when these were 

 consumed he retired towards Jidda, carrying off 

 the whole of his family and baggage, having pre- 

 viously set fire to his palace to destroy such furni- 

 ture as was not easily portable. The city was now 

 abandoned to its fate. On the next morning, the 

 chief inhabitants went out to capitulate, or rather 

 to surrender at discretion ; and on the same day 

 (April 27) Saoud made his entrance. Not the slight- 

 est excess was committed ; and the Meccawees still 

 remember with gratitude the excellent discipline ob- 

 served by the wild Bedouin soldiers. All the shops 

 were immediately opened by order of the victorious 

 chief, and every article which his troops required 

 was purchased with ready money. This forbearance 

 was doubtless the effect of policy ; but the artful 

 conqueror ascribed it to a miracle. He told the 

 ulemas in full council, that he had seen Mohammed 

 in a dream, who threatened him that he should not 



