Page 242 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

; 200 MUSK AT.

man of gallant behaviour and liberal disposition, and consequently much
beloved by the Arabian Tribes on the Coast of Oman, His Highness
induced him, under the guarantee of the most solemn oaths and
protestations, to pay him a visit in Muskat previous to his departure
and soon after took an opportunity to have him seized and detained a
prisoner in one of the forts. After the completion of this short-sighted
and treacherous policy, the Imaum sailed on the 15th December for
the African Coast, with the conviction of his having taken most effectual
means for insuring the tranquillity of his Arabian possessions during
his absence. The very measure, however, which he had so unjustifiably
adopted, in the face of the most sacred obligations, was nearly the
cause of his ruin. It appears, that on receiving the intelligence of her
brother’s unjust imprisonment, the sister of Syud Hillal assembled all
the chief men of Soweik together, and having acquainted them with
what had occurred, asked if they would support her. They unanimously
replied they would shed the last drop of their blood in her service.
Upon this assurance, she took possession of the strong fort of Soweik,
and having, by means of presents and entreaties, been joined by a
number of the Beni Ghafoor Tribe, she began to foray and harass the
Imaum’s territories. The success which attended these efforts awakened
the hopes of Humood bin Azan,* who had been dispossessed of a large
town and district on the Coast of Batinah, called Sohar, when an
infant, by his cousin the Imaum. Taking advantage of the confusion
arising in consequence of the proceedings of the sister of Syud
Hillal, he assembled fifty followers, and, aided by the good will of the
inhabitants, surprised the garrison of Sohar by night, and succeeded
in getting possession of this fortress. Once established in this
stronghold, the other ports of Shinas, Lowa, and Khaboora soon
fell into his hands; and thus, in the short space of one month, nearly
the whole of the productive and populous Coast of Batinah was lost
to the Imaum. The flame of rebellion daily spread, while the Vukeel
left in Muskat displayed a miserable want of judgment and decision
in this important crisis. At last, the progress of the insurgents became
so formidable, that serious apprehensions were entertained for the safety
of Muskat itself. A fast-sailing vessel was despatched after His High­
ness, to acquaint him with the state of affairs, and Syud Salim became
so much alarmed at the hostile demonstrations made by Shaikh Sultan
bin Suggur, that he directed a communication to be made to the
Bombay Government, through the Imaum’s Agent in that place,
requesting that two cruisers might be sent up to his assistance. n
consequence, instructions were issued to the British authority in t le
Gulf of Persia to prevent the ruin of His Highness by every means in
* Sumood bin Azan bin Ghes, a first cousin of the Imaum.