Caliph. Thus it was that the new line of rulers started in the person of a man well over sixty years of age.
AFTER MAHOMET
The first sign of revolt against the new head of the nation came when some of the Arabian tribes whose conversion had been effected by the sword, refused to pay the taxes, and as the collection of a tax depends upon the attitude of the taxpayer, trouble loomed. Seizing upon the time of change, the self-styled prophet Moseilma also gathered together his followers. But in the army gathered by Mahomet, there was one, Khaled Ibn Waled, a soldier to the core, and him the Caliph Abu Beker chose to restore order. Finding that the revolting tribes had accepted as their leader a man of merit named Malec, Khaled marched against him with four thousand five hundred men. The united tribes were defeated and Malec made prisoner.
"Why," asked Khaled of Malec, "do you refuse the tax?"
"Because I can pray without paying taxes," was the sensible answer.
"But prayer without taxes is of little use," responded the utilitarian Khaled.
There was further argument, Malec sticking to his point, but Khaled was no man of words. A sign was given and a scimitar flashed, and Malec's head fell to the earth. Without delay, Khaled marched against the men under Moseilma, meeting them at Akreba. Twenty-
