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BIOGRAPHIES OF MOHAMMED
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to effect a decent retreat, and to arrive safely at Mecca, with the, greater
part of the caravan. The spoils, however, arising from the ransom of the
prisoners, and the partial plunder of the caravan, amounted to a considerable
sum, the division of which very nearly proved fatal to the victors themselves
. . . . A furious altercation ensued, etc. (pp. 60-63).
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The facts are these. While still in Syria, Abu Sofiân heard of Mohammed's
design to attack the returning caravan as it passed Medina, and despatched
Dham Dham (not Omar, as Irving has it) to rouse the Coreish and bring an army
to his succour. Approaching Bedr, Abu Sofiân rode forward to reconnoitre the
spot, and by the fountain came upon traces of Mohammed's scouts, whom he
recognised as such by the peculiar shape of the date-stones in the dung left
by their camels.1 In dismay he hurried back to his caravan, left
the main road, and by forced marching along the seacoast was soon out of
danger. He then sent back a messenger to the Coreish army, by this time on its
way to Bedr, to inform them of his safety, and recall them; but they preferred
to try the issue with Mohammed. On the other hand, when the Medina army
arrived at Bedr, Mohammed was still ignorant that the caravan had passed, or
even that the Coreish were advancing to attack him; and their watering party
was seized and beaten in the vain hope of finding that they belonged to the
caravan. It was after this that the battle occurred.
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We see thus how grossly inaccurate is the account of Mohammed's army
"being posted between the caravan and the approaching succour"; of
"partial plunder of the caravan"; and of Abu Sofiân,
"notwithstanding the defeat, managing to effect a decent retreat, and
arriving at Mecca with the greater part of the caravan." The notices of a
"rivulet" at Bedr, where there were
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