ardly assassination of the few Jews who were still
in Medina, and, being possessed of considerable property, were a
tempting bait to the avaricious prophet, who now, making religion a
cloak to cover his greed and ambition, went to the wildest excesses in
attaining his objects.

Many of the Jews, escaping dearly with their lives, fled to the city of
Khaibar, five days' journey to the northeast of Medina, a city inhabited
by Jews, who, living in the midst of a luxuriant farming district, had
grown rich in the peaceful arts of agriculture and commerce. Others
hastened thither in the hope that Khaibar might become the nucleus of a
successful resistance of Mohammed's power in the near future; and among
the latter class was Manasseh.

Late one afternoon he arrived in the rich pasture-lands surrounding the
city. The air of peace and prosperity, the lowing of herds and bleating
of sheep, delighted him; and, though weary from his journey, it was with
a light heart that he urged his flagging horse between the long groves
of palm-trees until the city came in sight.

His martial spirit glowed as he noted the heavy out-works, and the
strength of the citadel Al Kamus, which, built on a high rock, and
towering ragged and black against the orange sky of the setting sun,
seemed to the young soldier almost impregnable.

He was welcomed at the gates as another recruit to the gathering forces,
and, on his request, was at once directed to the house of the chief,
Kenana Ibn al Rabi, a man reputed to be exceedingly wealthy. Here he was
courteously received by Kenana and his wife Safiya; and, in a long
conference, he informed the chief of the numbers and zeal of Mohammed's
army, urging upon him the immediate strengthening of the city, as it was
highly probable that the prophet would not long desist from making an
attempt upon a tid-bit so tempting as that which Khaibar presented.

That evening an informal council of war was held in the court-yard of
the chief's house. Al Hareth, a brother of Asru, a man who, although an
Arab, had been appointed to high office, and had proved himself one of
the most distinguished commanders of the Jewish colony, was present;
and, among others, Asru himself entered.

"Asru!" exclaimed Manasseh, delightedly, hurrying him aside to an
arbor, "you here! I thought I had become separated from you all in that
ill-fated storm. Where are Amzi and Yusuf, know you?"

"Gone to Mecca with Abu Sofian's remnant of an ar