guide, "and you
shall see what the companions of the prophet can perform." They charged
in five squadrons; but after the first advantage of the surprise,
they were encompassed and almost overwhelmed by the multitude of their
enemies; and their valiant band is fancifully compared to a white spot
in the skin of a black camel. [65] About the hour of sunset, when their
weapons dropped from their hands, when they panted on the verge of
eternity, they discovered an approaching cloud of dust; they heard the
welcome sound of the tecbir, [66] and they soon perceived the standard
of Caled, who flew to their relief with the utmost speed of his cavalry.
The Christians were broken by his attack, and slaughtered in their
flight, as far as the river of Tripoli. They left behind them the
various riches of the fair; the merchandises that were exposed for sale,
the money that was brought for purchase, the gay decorations of
the nuptials, and the governor's daughter, with forty of her female
attendants.

The fruits, provisions, and furniture, the money, plate, and jewels,
were diligently laden on the backs of horses, asses, and mules; and the
holy robbers returned in triumph to Damascus. The hermit, after a short
and angry controversy with Caled, declined the crown of martyrdom, and
was left alive in the solitary scene of blood and devastation.

[Footnote 64: Dair Abil Kodos. After retrenching the last word, the
epithet, holy, I discover the Abila of Lysanias between Damascus and
Heliopolis: the name (Abil signifies a vineyard) concurs with the
situation to justify my conjecture, (Reland, Palestin. tom. i. p 317,
tom. ii. p. 526, 527.)]

[Footnote 65: I am bolder than Mr. Ockley, (vol. i. p. 164,) who dares
not insert this figurative expression in the text, though he observes in
a marginal note, that the Arabians often borrow their similes from that
useful and familiar animal. The reindeer may be equally famous in the
songs of the Laplanders.]

[Footnote 66: We hear the tecbir; so the Arabs call Their shout of
onset, when with loud appeal They challenge heaven, as if demanding
conquest. This word, so formidable in their holy wars, is a verb active,
(says Ockley in his index,) of the second conjugation, from Kabbara,
which signifies saying Alla Acbar, God is most mighty!]

Chapter LI: Conquests By The Arabs.--Part IV.

Syria, [67] one of the countries that have been improved by the most
early cultivation, is not unworthy of th