Page 288 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

260 Part VII—Chap..LIX.
August 1833 lio was put to death, while attending at the place of public assem­
bly* by his rival the Chief of Dashti. Hossain Kuli Khan of Angali, one of
his adherents, was likowiso killed and another severely wounded. The rest of
his followers sought refuge in the British Residency which prevented further
bloodshed, and the Resident subsequently obtained tho consent of the opposite-
arty to this despatching them, a part by land and a part by sea, to their own
I omes.
600. A blood feud of the most inveterate description was thuB created
between these tribes, of which, whatever may be tho final result, the immediate
offeot could not be otherwise than to increase the alarm and insecurity of tho
peaceable inhabitants of this town.
601. Shortly subsequent to tho murder of tho Tangistun Chief Mirza Ali
Khan, the deputy of His Royal Highness Timur Mirza became so much
alarmed for his life that he sought refuge in tho house of tho Knai, but
distrustful even of tho sanctity of that abode, about 10 a.m. on tho 19th
August he fled to the British Residency and claimed its protection. Ho had
entered so dressed as to avoid all suspicion of his real character and finding
bim determined not to return, tho Resident obtained by signals a boat from
tho H. O. Sloop of War Ternate and fortunately got bim on board before
any difficulties could be raised.
602. On the morning of the 20th the Prince’s troops appeared before the
town and the party inside having failed in their attempts to open a negotia­
tion commenced their preparations for escape by sea. They had previously
spoken very boldly of their determination to defend the walls but were taken
by surprise with reference to the strength of the opposing force. A few
individuals stationed in the towers deterred the assailants from entering
during the daylight, but shortly after dusk in the evening they advanced and
finding no opposition quiokly passed through tho town to the sea shore in
hopes of overtaking some of the fugitives. The last of their boats had
however got out of reach and no one remained to prolong the contest or to
gratify their revenge.
603. The Prince Reza Kuli Mirza, Timur Mirza and Nusrulla Mirza
who were present with the camp and forward in entering the town used great
exertions to prevent its being plundered and their endeavours were attended
with complete success. The houses which bad been occupied by the
rebel Chiefs formed the only exceptions, and the sole loss of life "hitherto
sustained was occasioned by a party of the Tangistunis busied in searching
the house of Jumal Khan at Busbire having unfortunately thrust a light into
6ome jars of gunpowder, the explosion of which proved fatal to eight of their
men.
604. Jumal Khan of Busbire despatched his family and property on board
the Feiprabano, a Maskat ship which had arrived from Bussora a few days
previously and was anchored in the outer roads, with the intention of following
them 60 soon as circumstances might admit. It appeared that the Dashti
Chief secured him at the last instant with a view to eventually giving him up
as a means of obtaining terms for himself and the feelings of the Princes were
so inveterate against the said Khan that they would no doubt make great
sacrifices to get him into their power. The more general belief was however that
he succeeded in getting on board the above ship and had proceeded in her to
Maskat,
606, In the hurry of departure some of the Dashti tribe were left behind,
of whom a few have found refuge in the Residency. Others were dispersed
about the town and the Tangistunis were searching for them to sacrifice to
their blood feud, blit their places of oonoealment having hitherto evaded dis*
oovery it is to be hoped they may eventually escape.