Page:Men of Might.djvu/39

 But other griefs came upon Mahomet. The loss of his wife Khadija, the failure of a mission to a town called Tayif, and money difficulties, combined to render him despondent. Then came a change. Some strangers from Medina, a town about 250 miles north of Mecca, heard him preach at the time of the annual pilgrimage. He found them sympathetic as to his difficulties and dangers, and eager to profess themselves converts. They promised to speak for him at Medina, and did so with such eloquence that nearly the whole town believed, and twelve of the converts returned next year to Mecca to tell the prophet the good news of their wonderful success.

No wonder, then, that his thoughts turned longingly northwards when he contrasted the failures of Mecca with the triumphs of Medina. All that year his voice was silent in the streets, for his heart was elsewhere. And when the next spring came round, there were seventy disciples from Medina to tell him that they were ready to give him a resting-place there and conduct him from the idolatrous city.

That night there was a secret meeting. What happened is not known exactly. But rumours of it got abroad, and persecution broke out in consequence. One by one the Mahometans left the city, till only two households remained—those of Mahomet and his friend Abu Bekr. More than ever now were they in the enemies' power; and one day it came to the ears of Mahomet that his house was to be visited by certain men that very night. All preparations had been made for flight; and in the dusk of evening he and Abu Bekr fled. Past the southern suburb they went, and up to a cave in the mountains six miles away. There