Page:William Muir, Thomas Hunter Weir - The Caliphate; Its Rise, Decline, and Fall (1915).djvu/82

 633] Khālid here struck a chord delightful to the Bedawi heart. Now, also, the inducements with respect to the other sex began to tell. Persian ladies, both maids and matrons, as "captives of their right hand" were forthwith, without stint of number, and by permission which they held divine, lawful to the conqueror’s embrace; and, in the enjoyment of this privilege, they were nothing loth to execute upon the heathen "the judgment written." Thus religious fanaticism grew along with martial ardour, both riveted by motives native to the Arab—fight and foray, spoil of war, an captive charms.

The cup, however, had but just touched their lips, and many a chance might yet dash it from them. The great family of the Beni Bekr was divided in the struggle, part holding with Khālid and part with Persia. A bitter feeling was aroused between the Bedawīn of Mesopotamia and the invaders, aggravated by defeat and by the treatment of those taken captive. Smarting under injury, the Christian tribes roused their nomad brethren on both banks of the Euphrates, and urged the Court of Persia to revenge. Just then Ardashīr the King fell sick, and Bahman was detained at Court; but he sent an army across the Euphrates to join the loyal Bedawīn, who from every side flocked to Ulleis (Allis), half-way between Al-Ḥīra and Ubulla. News of this great rising forced Khālid to fall back hastily, and recross the Euphrates. Then leaving a strong detachment at Al-Ḥafīr to secure his rear, he boldly advanced to meet the enemy. The Arab tribes first rushed to the attack, and Khālid slew their leader. Then the Persians with a vast front came up, and the Muslims were hard pressed as they never had been before. The battle was fiercely contested, and the issue at one time was so doubtful, that Khālid vowed to the Lord that in event of victory the blood of his foes should flow as in a crimson stream. At last the Persians, unable to withstand the impetuous onset, broke and fled. To fulfil his savage oath, Khālid proclaimed that no fugitive should be slain, but all brought alive into the camp, For two days the country was scoured by the Muslim horse, and a great multitude of prisoners gathered. Then the butchery commenced in the dry bed of a canal, but the earth drank up the blood. Company after company was beheaded, and