Page 136 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

VII.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 97

to the tribe, and when, this year, he was ap­
pointed to tiie command of the Wahhabi fron­

tier force at Bireimah, although the Wahhabis
were at peace with the Im4m, he suddenly

marched with three thousand men direct to
Bedi’ah. But the tribe he had destined to de­

struction, receiving intelligence of this move­
ment two hours before he made his appearance,

they collected eight hundred men, all who were
then present, to oppose him. These were well

armed, and the Sheikh’s threats that he would
afford no quarter urged them to their best

efforts. Notwithstanding their unequal num­
bers, they attacked the Wahhabis so unex­

pectedly, and with such fury, that they drove

them from the field, and after slaying a great
many, compelled the others to seek for safety
in flight. The Sheikh, almost maddened at

his defeat, was foremost in every danger, and,

but for the devotion of a few who hurried him
from the field, he too would, on the same spot,
have probably shared the fate of his father.

After halting a short time at this village, wait­
ing for our camels, we continued N. N. W.

until twelve, when we arrived at Cawbil,
which is walled round and has several forts.

VOL. I. H