along the shoreline—I think they were Muhammad and his companions.’

Suraqa continued:
‘I realized at once that it was indeed them, yet I said, “It is not they; what you saw was only so-and-so and so-and-so.” I stayed where I was for a short while, then got up, went into my house, and told my slave-girl to bring out my horse—which was tethered behind a small rise—and keep it waiting for me. Taking my spear, I slipped out by the back of the house, dragging its iron butt along the ground and keeping it low. When I reached my horse I mounted, urged her on, and she galloped until I came close to them. My mount stumbled and I was thrown off; I stood up, reached into my quiver, and drew out the azlām (divination arrows).’