Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 303
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 303 conquer or to die. They closed, and for a short time were hidden in a cloud of dust. But it was not long before the loud Tekbir, Great is the Lord, from Ali’s lips, made known that he was the victor. The rest, taking advantage of the diversion, again spurr ed their horses across the trench and escaped, all excepting Naufal, who fell in the leap, was dispatched by Zubair. His body was left in the trench. Quraish offered ten thousand dirhams for its removal. The Holy Prophet let them have it free. Nothing further was attempted that day. But great preparations were made during the night; and next morning, Muhammad found the whole allied force drawn up against him. It required unceasing vigilance to frustrate their manoeuvres. Now they would threaten a general assault; now breaking up in divisions they would attack various posts in rapid and distracting succession; and at last, watching for their opportunity, they would mass their troops together on the least protected point, and, under cover of gallin g archery, attempt to force the trench. Once and again a dash was made at the city by such leaders of renown as Khalid and Amr, and the tent of Muhammad himself was at one moment in peril; but the brave Muslim front, and showers of arrows, drove the assail ants back. This continued throughout the day; and, as the army of Muhammad was just sufficient to guard the line, there could be no relief. Even at night, Khalid’s troops kept up the alarm, and rendered outposts at frequent intervals necessary. But the end eavours of the