e. Accordingly, a couple of hours before the time appointed
for the assassination, and as soon as the cover of darkness rendered his
own appearance in the city safe, he hastened to the prophet.

No time was to be lost. Mohammed, accompanied by Abu Beker and the Jew,
at once fled; while Ali, to deceive the spies, and keep them as long as
possible in check, wrapped himself in the prophet's green cloak, moved
round with it on for some time, and at last lay down on Mohammed's bed.

When the assassins entered, intending to rush upon the sleeping form
and destroy it, Ali threw the cloak off and sat up. In the meantime the
fugitives had reached the cave of Thor, three miles distant, from
whence, after three days, they escaped to Medina.

This was the famous flight of the prophet, the Hegira, or Hejra, in the
year 622 A.D. and about the fifty-third year of Mohammed's age.

CHAPTER X.

MOHAMMED'S ENTRANCE INTO MEDINA.

"Oh, it is excellent
To have a giant's strength: but it is tyrannous
To use it like a giant."

--_Shakespeare._

Once more after the lapse of years let us look at Amzi as he sat one
morning in his house at Medina.

The cool and pleasant atmosphere of the town in contrast with the
burning, breathless heat of Mecca had charmed him. He had immediately
purchased a house and furnished it with the luxurious splendor which
suited his rather voluptuous taste.

The apartment in which he sat was in the middle story, the one sacred to
the men in a house of Medina. Rich Persian carpets were on the floor,
rugs of Inde were scattered about and piled with cushions filled with
softest down. Low divans invited repose, and heavy curtains of yellow
silk shut out the too bright glare of day. The ceiling, after the
Persian fashion, was inlaid with mirrors, fitted in in different
patterns, and divided by carved sticks of palm, stained red; and the
sweet odor of richest perfumes of Arabia-Felix spread through the room
as if emanating from the silken hangings of the wall.

The window was open, and the breeze from the east, bearing, as it were,
tales of the Nejd, the land of brave men and beautiful women, swayed
the curtains softly. Outside, in the sloping garden, waved the graceful
branches of the tamarisk, glittering with dew in the early morning sun;
and near the window a jujube tree stretched its dark, shining leaves and
yellow fruit temptingly near. Acacias