XIII
THE LANCE OF KANANA
The army of the Prophet had not retreated one foot from its original position, when night brought the third day's battle to a close.
Kahled sank upon the ground among his soldiers, while the women from the rear brought what refreshment they could to the tired warriors.
All night he lay awake beside his gray battle-horse, looking at the stars and thinking.
Flight or death would surely be the result of the coming day. Even Kahled the Invincible, had given up all hope of victory.
He was too brave a man to fly, but he was also too brave to force others to stand and be slaughtered for his pride.
It was a bitter night for him, but as the eastern sky was tinged with gray, he at last resolved to make the sacrifice himself, and save such of his people as he could.
The women and children, with the wounded who could be moved, must leave at once, taking all that they could carry with them, and scatter themselves in every direction.