These errors are the more to be regretted as the Moslems regard the victory of
Bedr with greater than even their usual pride. Let us now take an instance of
one of their defeats. The expedition to Mûta against the Greeks, three years
before the Prophet's death, is represented by the Tract Society as ending in a
triumph; it is added, "The account of this victory so delighted Mohammed,
that he bestowed on Khaled the title of being `One of the swords of the
Lord.'" Irvine, going still further wrong, says that the Greeks
"were pursued with great slaughter. Khaled then plundered their camp, in
which was found great booty." But the facts of the case are, beyond
question, in an entirely different direction. The defeat of the Moslems was
complete, and the carnage fearful. It was only by the most masterly
generalship that Khaled managed to save any portion of the army; and when the
remnants that escaped returned in disgrace to Medina, the inhabitants
assembled to meet them, and cast dirt in their faces, with taunts such as.
these, "Ah, ye runaways! shame upon you, that ye dare to turn your backs
when fighting for the Lord!" Mohammed stilled the people, and comforted
the fugitives, saying, "Nay! they are not runaways: but they are men who
shall return again unto the battle, if the Lord will."