Page 290 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XVI.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 251

a very different line of conduct to what they
had done before. Though often repulsed or
defeated, and even in one instance stormed

with success in their principal strongholds,
yet they never appeared to lose either energy

or spirit for any considerable period. New
vessels were built or purchased, other forts
erected, and after a brief interval they again

renewed their outrages.
Events connected with our operations in

India against the Mahrattas occupied the
attention and resources of Government so

completely, that troops could not, without dif­
ficulty, for some time, be spared to punish
them ; but no sooner were these concluded,

than their complete extermination was re­
solved on. The details of the expedition in

1819, are already too well known to render it
necessary for me to describe them. I shall

merely observe, that when Ras el Khaimah,
Sharja, and the other ports again fell into our
hands, all their boats were burnt or sold, and

their forts razed to the ground. Certain infor­
mation was likewise obtained that their fleets

had often escaped the vigilance of our cruisers,
by taking refuge in the numerous coves with