Page 438 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XXIV.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 3.99

sum of 50,000 dollars, and to hold Oman as a
tributary possession to their chief. It at

length became apparent that his death would
alone ensure Sayyid S’aid’s throne and per­

sonal security ; and he contrived to have biin
assassinated at a small village named Nam-

han, not far from Burka, on the sea-coast. But
although he thus rid himself of his formidable

rival, Sayyid S’aid was not yet left to enjoy
Oman without a struggle. Budr had previ­

ously concluded a treaty with Saoud, by
which he stipulated to hold the province as

tributary to that prince. This treaty Sayyid
S’aid now refused to ratify; and, in conse­

quence, the Wahhabi Chieftain despatched a
body of 4000 men, under a warlike and enter­

prising chief, Sayyid ibn Matlack, to enforce
it. A series of petty warfare continued, with

varied success, for some years, and the fortunes
of Sayyid S’aid were at one time so low, that

he was compelled to solicit the aid of the Per­
sians ; but eventually the death of his formid­

able opponent, followed by that of Saoud,
and the general dispersion of the Wahhabis,

left him in undisturbed possession of his do­
minions.