Page 282 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XVI.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 243

CHAPTER XVI.

Maritime Robbers —Forbearance of the Indian Government—
Instructions to our Cruisers—Audacity of the Pirates—Anec­
dote—Capture of the Sylph—Massacre—Attack upon the Mi­
nerva—Captain attempts to blow up his Vessel—Crew offered
up as a Sacrifice to the Prophet—Singular Ceremonies—Na­
tional traits of Character — Respect for Women—Resolute
bravery—Contempt of Death—Expedition against the Pirates
—Mohammed AU—Pirate Vessels — Reparation of Losses—
Author engaged in Surveying the Arabian Coast—Additions
to Geographical Knoivledge—Danger of withdrawing our
Squadron—Destruction of a Piratical Boat—Transportation
of her Commander—Population—Tribes—Authority of Chiefs
—Simplicity of their Domestic Habits.

It remains to notice the pirates, a race hi­
therto but little known, but whose power and

influence was long felt by, and is still inti­
mately connected with the political condition
of the tribes in this part of Arabia. They

occupy a part of the coast within the
Persian Gulf comprehended between the

mountain range and the sea-shore, and ex­
tending in that direction from Kasab to the

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