Page:Early Christianity in Arabia.djvu/65

Rh is said to have been instigated by the Jews of Yatreb. On his arrival before it, he found it surrounded by a wall and ditch, and the whole town in arms, prepared to oppose him. The tobbaa laid siege to the place with a large army, ravaging the surrounding country, and threatening the inhabitants with extermination, unless they would publicly renounce the cross. Finding, however, from the firmness and bravery of the Christians in Nadjran, that he was not very likely to succeed by force, he had recourse to treachery; and on his taking a solemn oath that he would not injure one of the inhabitants, but that he would allow them the peaceful exercise of their religion, the town of Nadjran was surrendered.

The king of Hamyar disguised his treachery no longer than was necessary to gain the object which he had in view by it. Nadjran was plundered by