Chapter Thirteen

1  Now when Muhammed and his men reached their encampment, they found it a shambles, and were concerned.  But the women greeted them joyously.
2  The old Roman was brought out, assisted by two of them, a bandage about his head.  "Apparently," he remarked, "there was a fourth group of pursuers!  They attacked us the morning after you left, but our scouts saw them in plenty of time and we were well prepared. This army you have given me, master, is well worthy!  They met the enemy boldly, dismounting him, and though many had only clubs, when he was on the ground, they beat him into surrender!
3  The wind helped us a bit.  It stirred up the dust, blinding the enemy as he charged into the camp, causing him to ride right into our lances.  We have captured their goods, and twenty prisoners!"
4  "Glory be to God!"  cried Muhammed.  "You have done better than us!  Praise God!  Praise His heroes!"
5  The mothers of the dead, seeing them on their horses, came forward, and began to weep, and Muhammed cried, "Women, weep not, for they have died in honorable battle for The Glory Of God, and are now at His Bosom in Paradise!  For I saw the white clad Maidens on Their Steeds of clouds come and retrieve their Spirits!  God now blesses them, and they have treasure beyond any man's imagination.  Grieve not for them.  They are God's martrys, God's heroes.  Instead, prepare a great feast of celebration.  We will rest today, then be on to Medina.  For God has given us victory!"
6  Now, as they began to celebrate, one of Muhammed's men came to him.  "The leader of the captives complains," he remarked, "that they are not being treated honorably.  Ten of their young men have been taken away by the women at the point of the sword, and are being tortured.  They can hear their cries of despair and their moans of pain.  And he begs you to stop it!"
7  Now, when Muhammed heard this, he was concerned, for he had ordered that all prisoners be treated decently.  So he crept up to the tent, where he was told the prisoners had been taken, and when he peeked inside he found that the young men were indeed making great cries, but it was not from torture!  He did not know, under the circumstances, WHAT he would call what the women were doing to them, but he, himself, definitely would NOT call it torture!  He would wait and see if the young men made some complaint, then perhaps he would speak, but if they did not, he saw no need to.
8  The little band of believers rested, sending a message to the Meccans that they could ransom their captives and that they would be well treated in the meantime.
9  They were but a day from Medina when Muhammed was out in the lead of the column when suddenly a great band of horsemen rode over the hills and formed ranks in the trail.  Muhammed's captains began to disperse their men, but Muhammed cried out "Stand! if they had wished to attack they would have.  Let us see what it is they want!"
10  And one rode out before the others, and in a loud voice, cried, "I would speak with him called Muhammed!"
11  Without hesitation Muhammed spurred his horse and rode forward.

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