Page:William Muir, Thomas Hunter Weir - The Caliphate; Its Rise, Decline, and Fall (1915).djvu/144

636–7] adventured themselves in single combat with the Arabs. The investment was strict, and the inhabitants reduced to great straits. The army lay for several months before the City; but Saʿd was not inactive in other directions, Bands were despatched wherever the great landholders failed to tender their submission, These ravaged Mesopotamia, and brought in multitudes as prisoners; but, by ʿOmar's command, they were dismissed to their homes. Thus the country from Tekrīt downwards, and from the Tigris to the Syrian desert, was brought entirely and conclusively under Muslim sway.

The siege at last pressed so heavily on the western quarter, that the King sent a messenger with terms. He would give up all dominion west of the Tigris if they would leave him undisturbed on the eastern side. The offer was indignantly refused. Not long after, observing the walls no longer manned, an advance was ordered. They entered unopposed; the Persians had crossed, and carrying the ferryboats with them, entirely evacuated the City on the western bank. Not a soul was to be seen. But the farther Capital with the river between was still defiant and secure. So the army for some weeks rested, and, occupying the deserted mansions of the western quarter, enjoyed a foretaste of Persian luxury.

On Al-Medāin being threatened, Yezdejird had despatched his family, with the regalia and treasure, to Ḥolwān in the hilly country to the north: and now he contemplated flight himself in the same direction. The heart of Persia had sunk hopelessly; for otherwise the deep and rapid Tigris still formed ample defence against sudden assault. Indeed, the Arabs thought so themselves; for they were occupied many weeks in search of boats, which had all been removed from the western bank. Unexpectedly, a deserter apprised Saʿd of a place where the river could be swum or forded. But the stream, always swift, was then upon the rise, and they feared lest the horses should be carried down by the turbid flood. Just then, tidings coming of the intended flight of Yezdejird, Saʿd at once resolved upon the enterprise. Gathering his force, he said to them:—"We are now at the mercy of the enemy, who, with the river at command, is able to attack us unawares. Now, the