Page 210 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

surrounded by gardens, full of fish & tortoises with short green grass on the banks. Returned to the boat & so home arriving
about 7.30 pm. Enjoyed the trip.

Saturday [30 April]

J. C in morning. The old Kadi came to Sh Hamed yesterday & asked him to let him stay on till next boat. The Shaikh, as usual,
tried to "please his heart" by giving a vague reply. Sh Abdulla, Alban & I all urged him to order him to go & eventually he
agreed to my going out to see the Kadi myself, to persuade him to go. He left Manama & went to one of the places where he
has a following, a village called Dar Kleib. Motored out with my old head clerk Hagi Seggar, Omar, & a fellow who knew the
road. First the Sakhrir & then down to the coast & back towards Budeya. Found a crowd of Baharnis standing round a big
grass hut with a flag on a pole outside it. Taken in & found Shaikh Khalaf seated opposite a grass mat covered with dishes of
food just going to have lunch - a very good lunch too, chickens, a sheep etc etc. He was evidently very surprised to see us but
quite affable. He is a tall thin old man with a silky white beard, rather imposing & far better educated than most, dressed in
white robes. Sat there talking for about three hours - at least he did most of the talking. Argued & argued & finally
absolutely refused to go unless we took him by force, said that if that was done there would be real trouble among his
followers but that if he was allowed to go next mail he would be able to settle his affairs & would guarantee no disturbances.