Let it not be concealed to intelligent and discerning men that the conquest of Hamss took place after the subjugation of the two cities,* but unwilling to make a gap between the contests of the Byzantine forces and the army of Islâm, the writing reed of explanation has inserted the conquest of Hamss in this place. Historians have narrated that after the conquest of the two cities the people of Hamss had begun to strengthen their fortress, and sent a message to the Qayssar requesting him to despatch twenty thousand cavalry to their aid. When the Musalmâns heard this news they raised a unanimous shout of the Takbyr, and frightened the opponents. Abu O’baydah, however, despatched a letter to O’mar the Commander of the Believers, who thereon sent orders to besiege the town of Hamss. Abu O’baydah accordingly marched, and after traversing the distance, reached Hamss, which he encircled with his troops so closely that nothing whatever could be passed into or out of the town, so that provisions became extremely dear, and the maintenance of the garrison precarious. The people having become so distressed that they cared not for their lives, they sallied out from the town, and drew themselves up in battle array opposite to the victorious army, and both parties using their swords, began to fight valourously, and displayed equal prowess. At last Khâled B. Alwolyd threw his turban off his head and attacked the foes with Yazid B. Abu Sofiân and a number of Musalmâns, slaying countless numbers of those accursed fellows, whom they sent to the infernal regions; others, however, having fled from the battlefield, entered the fort, pleaded for mercy, and sued for quarter. Abu O’baydah having complied with their request, the people of Hamss surrendered the keys of the gates, whereon he sent one-fifth of the spoils with an account of the victory to Madinah; and when the news thereof reached that pleasant city, O’mar rejoiced with all the magnates of Islâm, made prostrations and offered thanks. Fârûq then wrote a letter to Abu O’baydah as follows: ‘I have received thy despatch, understood its contents, and the gladness of my heart was augmented by this great and new victory. It appears also from thy letter that thou hast dispersed some of the army of Islâm to invite the inhabitants of the surrounding districts to accept the upright religion; but if they refuse and demur no respite of slaughter and pillage is to be granted to them. Now, I am of opinion that the victorious army ought again to assemble, dwelling for awhile in peace and comfort, until my orders reach it what to do and where to march. Farewell.’ When the letter of Fârûq reached Abu O’baydah, he again assembled the forces he had sent into the surrounding districts, and remained quietly in the city of Hamss, waiting to see what time would reveal.