Page 220 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

178
MtiSKAT.
to have strictly observed the terms of that engagement Monti
Ilussant, the Chief of Kishm, was seized by surprfsc in lSof t
1,1yea, a force wL .U.paSfZ
he latter to recc.ve possession of the former place, and of Ormus als„
rom Moolla Hussam’s family, in ransom for his person. Shaikh
Sultan, the Joasmee, had, however, thrown a force into Kishm, which
refused to receive Moolla Hussain, or to restore the island
57. In the mean time, Shaikh Sultan, taking advantage of the
absence of the fleet from Muskat, proceeded with twenty-two Dows, two
Buggalows, and a number of Bolellas, towards Seer, near Ras-ool-
Plud, and landing, attempted to surprise the fort, but they
were
repulsed, and driven to their boats with some loss. An expedition
against the Coast of Mnkran by the pirates was also defeated about
this time. Syud Saeed, the second son of Syud Sultan, who had
succeeded Syud- J3eder in the Government of Muskat, was prevented by
his uncle Syud Gheif from following up those advantages.
58. The Government of Muskat was represented by Captain Scton,
in a letter dated the 16th of January 1808, as very
A. D. ISOS.
unstable and unpopular. Syud Saeed, young
and inexperienced, had lost the influence his father had acquired, and,
from the little consideration he manifested towards the Shaikhs who
visited Muskat, was left almost friendless. Of Oman he possessed
only the sea coast, the upper country having become tributary to the
Wahabees, and it was only by a degrading submission that the Imaum
protected the low country from their inroads. Mukran, with the
exce ption of Gauden, had also become independent of the Imaum ;
and as most of the Arab families had removed from Muskat, it was ex­
pected that troubles would ensue.
59. In the month of May, however, the Imaum, assisted by Syud
Gheif, reduced the fort of Khore Fukaun. Mahomed bin Muttur, the
chief of a tribe inhabiting a part of the country between Muskat and Khore
Fukaun, called Tajarah, also co-operated with the Imaum, according to
previous agreement, on this expedition. That chief, however, seizing a
favourable opportunity, treacherously deserted, and surprised the Muskat
The Imaum narrowly escaped to his ships, whilst Syud Gheif
troops
lost his life in the affray, and was succeeded by his son in the Govern-

their lawful Shaikh, Saltat bin Sugg»r ofRasmol.

piracy which now pervaded the Gull, unic-