Page 95 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

56 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

son, on the receipt of this intelligence, no
longer hesitated to accompany a force which

the Imam had already prepared to act against
them, and, landing at Sur, he formed a junc­

tion, and they marched together against Beni-
Abu-’All, which is situated about fifty miles,
in a direct line, from their place of disem-

barkment. The Bedowins retreated before

them, and occupied the date grove which sur­
rounds the fort. After our troops had passed
Beni-Abu-Hasan, and were sweeping round

a hill, the greater part being in a line parallel
to the trees, the whole tribe, who had hitherto

lain concealed beneath them, suddenly rushed
forth with loud cries, and threw themselves

headlong on the British force. Before the lat­
ter could be formed, or almost before the order

could be given, the Bedowins -were amidst
them, the sepoys could not use their bayonets,

but were hewn down by the long swords of

their foes as they stood, and the whole soon
became a mass of inextricable confusion. No
quarter was given, and an officer, presenting

his sword as a token of submission, was, at

the same time, pierced through the back with
a spear. They dragged the surgeon, who