In the second year of the Hegira, Mahomet, with a little more than three hundred men, sallied forth to attack a large and wealthy caravan, which his old enemy, Abu Sofian, was con- ducting from Syria to Mecca.

He lay in ambush, awaiting the expected plunder, by a brook called Beder ; but the enemy having intelligence of his designs, changed their route, and evaded the danger.

A large force which had been despatched to their assistance from Mecca, under Abn Jahl, pressed forward, and, weakened by thirst and fatigue, engaged the Moslems.

The latter, refreshed by rest, and enjoying the advantage of position, gained a complete victory.

The Koreishites fled, leaving seventy of their number prisoners, and as many dead on the field.