Page 231 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

192 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [ch.

shortly after the Sheikh of Sohar possessed
himself of his own territory he, with a view

of increasing the number of his forces, so as
to enable him to act with greater efficiency

against the Imam, made an offer to the several
petty Sheikhs and their followers, if they
would enlist under his banners, and quit those

of Seyyid Hilal, to remit the whole of the im­
posts which had been by that chief formerly

exacted from them. The bait was too tempt­
ing to be resisted, and in the course of a few

days Seyyid Hilal, from possessing an influ­
ence which had rendered him formidable even

to the Imam, found himself stripped of his
territory, his revenue, and his power, and

eventually became a mere pensionary to him.
Connected with this struggle, two events

occurred, which display the energy and influ­
ence of the Arab females in so strong a light,
that I shall give insertion to them.

A few years ago, Seyyid Hilal was induced,
under promise of protection, to proceed to

Maskat. Some accusations were brought
against him of endeavouring to subvert the

authority of the Imam, by instigating the
Bedowins to rebellion. Immediately that the