large number. They were so devoted to him, that they preserved every hair that fell from his head, and even the water in which he washed himself. The same year, he led his army against Chaibar, a city inhabited, by Jews. They defended themsevles bravely; but he forced his way into the city and took it. After entering the city, he went to the house of Hareth, one of the principal inhabitants. While there, Zeinab, the daughter of Hareth, put some poison in a shoulder of mutton that was set on the table before him. Bashar, one of his companions, as soon as he began to eat of it, was seized with convulsions, and died on the spot. Mohammed spit out most of what he had taken into his mouth, and so was saved from sudden death. But he never recovered from the effects of the poison. In a little more than three years, it brought him to his end. Zeinab was asked why she attempted to poison the prophet. She answered that she was determined to try his powers as a prophet. "If he were a true prophet," said she, "he would know that the meat was poisoned; if not, it would be a favor to the world to rid it of such a tyrant." But Mohammed was still able to proceed in his enterprizes.

He then subdued three Jewish tribes, compelling them to pay him a yearly tax.

QUESTIONS.

What did Abu Sophyan and the citizens of Mecca do? Who gained the victory in this battle? What effect had this upon Mohammed's followers? How did he quiet them? What did he forbid to his followers? What happened in the ifth year of the Hejira? How did Mohammed treat the Jews? What did Mohammed do in the five following years? What did he do in the sixth year of the Hejira? What happened at Mecca? What happened not long after this? What happened to Mohammed at Chaibar?

CONVERSATION IX.

Mohammed takes Mecca,-Defeats the neighboring Tribes,His death,-His Character.

Caroline. Come, mother, will you sit down now, and tell us more about Mohammed?

Mother. Yes, my dear; I am glad you feel interested with the history.

Samuel. Mother, did Mohammed keep the truce which he made with the people of Mecca?

Mother. About two years after the truce or treaty was made, he accused them of breaking it. This furnished him with a pretext for making war upon them, and he led an army of ten thousand men against the city. Since the conclusion of the treaty, he had, by his arts, gained over to his party a number of the principal citizens of Mecca. He now marched his army so rapidly that they arrived at the city before the inhabitants heard that he was com

ing. They saw that they must give themselves up to him or be destroyed.

Abu Sophyan, Mohammed's bitterest enemy, and his uncle Abbas, brought him the keys of the city. They both acknowledged him as the Apostle of God, and embraced his religion.

Samuel. I think they didn't care much about their religion, if they could give it up and embrace another, which they did not believe, from fear of death.

Mother They were Pagans; and the difference between the old religion and the new was not worth suffering for. The chief men of the Koreish tribe fell down before Mohammed, and asked for mercy. "What mercy can you expect from the man you have wronged," exclaimed Mohammed. "We confide in the generosity of our kinsman," said they. "You shall not confide in vain," replied Mohammed. "Be gone; you are safe; you are free." After entering into the city, he went to the temple and took out of it three hundred and sixty idols, which the Pagan Arabs had worshiped. He then consecrated it to the services of his religion. He also set apart the whole city as holy ground, and made a law that no unbeliever should set

his foot upon it. The day that he entered the city, he ordered his crier to go up to the top of the temple, and call the people to prayer.

Samuel. Mother, did the other tribes who had opposed Mohammed now surrender to him? Mother. No; when they heard that Mecca was taken, they collected an army of four thousand men, and marched against Mohammed. He met them three miles from the city. His men were so much superior in number that they thought they were certain of victory. But, the enemy rushed upon them in such a desperate manner as to put to flight nearly the whole army. Mohammed sat on a white mule. With a few of his faithful followers by his side, he maintained his ground. It was only by main force that one of his uncles and a cousin prevented him from rushing alone into the midst of the enemy. "O my brethren," he exclaimed, "I am the son of Abdallah! I am the Apostle of truth! O men, stand in the faith! O God, send down thy succor!" His uncle Abbas called out with a loud voice to the flying troops, and they gradually returned to their duty. Mohammed then charged the enemy anew, and gained a complete victory. But he pretended that the angels assisted him.