What is the meaning of "they mounted the Messenger of Allah" mentioned in the Hadith: "So they began to mount the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him"?

This hadith was narrated by Imam Ahmad in "Al-Musnad" with a weak chain of transmission, and Ibn Kathir mentioned it in his "Tafsir," noting its extreme peculiarity. It was also narrated by Al-Tirmidhi with a good, peculiar chain of transmission.

However, the correct account is what Imam Muslim narrated from Alqama, that Ibn Mas'ud was not present with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, on the night of the Jinn. Rather, the Companions missed him that night. When they awoke, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, informed them that the caller of the Jinn had come to him, so he went with them and recited the Qur'an to them. Then he showed them their traces and the traces of their fires, and explained to them their food and drink.

As for the meaning of "they began to ride the Messenger of Allah" in Imam Ahmad's narration, it means that they followed him, crowded around him, and came close to him, and not the known meaning of riding.