The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

—
I06 'OMAR [chap. XIV.
A.I I. 14- and shortly after secured his release.^ Now the elephants
The bore down upon the Ikdawi lines. The brunt of the onset
elephants. {q\\ upoH the Beni Bajlla. The huge beasts swaying to
and fro,— " their /wzcdas, manned with warriors and banners,
like moving castles,"— affrighted the Arab horses, which
broke away at the horrid sight. The Beni Asad diverted
the attack upon themselves, and in the heroic act left four
hundred dead upon the field. Then the elephants attacked
the wings, spreading consternation all around ; and the
enemy, profiting by the confusion, pressed forward. The
position was critical ; and Sa'd, as a last resource, bade
'Asim rid them from the danger at whatever cost. At
once that gallant chief chose a band of archers and of
agile skirmishers, who, drawing near, picked their riders
from off the elephants, and boldly cut the girths. The
howdas fell, and the great beasts, with none to guide
them, fled. Thus relieved, the Arabs regained their
ground. But the shades of darkness were falling, and
both armies retired for the night.
Sa'd up- The Muslim force was downcast. The uncertain issue
his wife. ^ added point to the invectives against Sa'd, and, what was
still harder for him to bear, the taunts of Selma. During
the day, as seated by her lord, they watched together from
the ramparts the deadly conflict, she exclaimed, " O for
an hour of Al-Muthanna ! Alas, alas, there is no
Muthanna this day!" Stung by the words, Sa'd struck
her on the' face, and pointing to 'Asim and his band, said,
" What of Al-Muthanna? Was he anything at all compared
with these?" "Jealousy and cowardice!" cried the highspirited
dame, faithful to her first husband's memory. " Not
so," said Sa'd, somewhat softened ;
" I swear that no man
will this day excuse me if thou dost not, who seest in what
'
He confessed to Selma that in his cups he had been singing these
verses :
" Bury me when I die by the roots of the vine
;
The moisture thereof will distil into my bones
;
Bury me not in the open plain, for then I much fear
That no more shall I taste again the sweet grape."
But he pledged his word to her that he would not again indulge in
drinking, nor abuse the Amir. Selma then obtained his release, and he
joined his comrades on the last great day.