Page 284 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XVI. J TRAVELS IN OMAN. 245

desperate engagement, was slain. Sayyid

S’aid has aided us in all our attempts to effect
their extirpation.

It is needless now to inquire into the mo­
tives which then induced our Indian govern­

ment so long tamely to suffer the repeated
depredations of these marauders. The cause
may, perhaps, be attributed to the brawls in

which we were then entangled with the va­
rious powers in India. But, be that as it

may, it is very certain that the Indian navy,
constituting a force especially established and
maintained for the suppression of piracy,

received instructions, in no instance, to be­
come the aggressors, but merely to repel any

attack which was made on them. The fol­
lowing anecdote will serve to illustrate the
singular relation which then existed between

us.
*
Two Johasmi vessels, lying in Bushir
Roads in the Persian Gulf, stated to the
British resident at that place that they were

in want of gunpowder, and he, in accordance
with his instructions from the Bombay go­
vernment, to keep on pacific terms with them,

directed a cruiser then lying in the harbour

* Properly Abu-sher.