Page 215 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

176 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

the season was far advanced, I had but little
reason to doubt being able, with some kafilah,
yet to reach Der’ayyah. My disappointment

was therefore very great on learning from his
Highness in reply, that the Wahhabis had

but a few days before made a sudden irrup­
tion into the northern parts of Oman ; that

they had seized, plundered, and burnt several
towns near to Sohar; that the inhabitants of

Abree, on the road to Bireimah, were engaged
in hostilities against their neighbours; and

that his Highness would most strongly recom­
mend, in the present unsettled state of affairs,

that I should not continue my journey. I
never contemplated being able to complete
the duty on which I was employed without

risk; and this was an occasion involving in
itself the examination of nearly half the pro­

vince, which appeared to justify my under­
going it to the fullest extent; nor did I as yet

despair, if I could reach Bireimah, of being
able to pass on to Der’ayyah. With many

acknowledgments, therefore, for his kindness,
I communicated my wishes to the Im4m,

and I was highly pleased on the morning
of the 24th to find at my tent a most re­