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70 REPORT ON ADMINISTRATION OF THE

captured by the Assistant Political Agent, Mekran Coast, Captain
Mockler, in Her Majesty's Skip Rifleman off Soor and brought to
Muscat whence he was taken to Kurrachee. Here lie remained for
some time in honorable surveillance, but ultimately gave in his promise
that he would reside in India and refrain from all interference with
affairs of Oman until permitted by Government. A suitable allowance
was made for him by Ilis Highness Syud Toorkee.

Shortly afterwards Syud Ibrahim bin Kais acquired possession of
the important town and fortress of El Rostak from Fcysul bin Ilamood,
who appears to have resolved on retiring from political strife and living
quietly on his possessions. This arrangement greatly strengthened the
political position and influence of Syud Ibrahim, who was at this time
the sole rival in Oman for the supreme power, and wdiosc ambitious
hopes would now rest on a surer foundation.
On the 8tli November Syud Salim surprised and captured the fort
at Gwadur with a small following of only 17 men. This he occupied
until the 12th, when, having been called on to surrender by the Assistant
Political Agent, he managed to escape into Mekran, and the fort w'as
reoccupied by the Sultan's Wullee and garrison. Syud Salim subse­
quently moved across Mekran and reached the Island of Kish in where
he continues to reside with his brother Ilareb.

In December His Highness Syud Toorkee was united in marriage
to the daughter of his cousin, Syud Ilaraad bin Salim bin Sultan A1 Bu
Saidi.
In January 1874 Syud Toorkee become dangerously ill, and was at
one time so reduced by the disease that bis life was despaired of. The
illness proved a lfngering one, and His Highness was still lying stretched
on bis bed when Sheikh Saleh bin Ali El Haritbee roused by a report
of Syud Toorkee's death that bad been designed^ spread by some of his
enemies, started with a small force with the intention of taking Muscat
by a night surprise. In this be failed, but bis arrival was most unexpected,
and no preparations bad of course been made to receive him. The troops
available in Muscat, however, were immediately ordered out by the Sultan
to attack the invaders and an encounter took place at a village near Muttra
in which His Highness' troops suffered a disastrous defeat and were
pursued np to the walls of Muttra, which was occupied by the rebels the
same night. Sheikh Saleh and the rebels remained here five days
entirely undisturbed, during which they plundered the town, including
the property of British subjects, and eventually only took their departure
after concluding a humiliating truce with His Highness by which they
received a large sum of money in cash besides other coqcessions. It was
fortunate for Syud Toorkee that his firm supporter, Syud Budr-bin Seif,
the Wullee of Sohar, was present in Muscat at the time and able to take
charge of affairs, otherwise it is probable that the consequences would have
been much more serious. The British Government after this resolved to
give active support by sea to His Highness Syud Toorkee against rebels.

The month of February passed quietly, but in the beginning of
March Syud Ibrahim bin Kais encouraged probably by the success of
Saleh bin Ali and having been joined by some of the Chief tribes in the

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