Page 271 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

232 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [cif.

of his troops, who were principally composed

of this class, and only succeeded in making
his escape by the most reckless gallantry :

this has since taught him more caution.
It is thought Sheikh Hilal aspires to the
sovereignty of Oman. Many of the Biazi sect,

for reasons which I have given in another
place, are disposed to regard their present

Imiim as one who has fallen away from the
true faith, and Ahmed Aisan trims his sails
accordingly. He affects great sanctity, and

being endued with the gift of tears, is seen to
remain without speaking to any one, weeping
for hours. He also aspires to the spirit of

prophecy; and flimsy enough as is the veil,
has succeeded in creating among many with

whom I have conversed the precise feeling
he has been desirous to create.

Ahmed ibn Aisan’s revenue is derived from
the port of Sohar, which yields him annually

ten thousand dollars. He also exacts a duty
of five thousand dollars from the town of
Rostak; but this is not more than one half

of the aggregate sum collected by Sayyid
S’aid, when in possession of the country,

because Ahmed remitted a moiety as a con­