Page 271 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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with what generosity and faithfulness His Excellency was led to
respond to the advances of his unsuspecting guest.
After receiving a visit from Syud Huinood bin Azan, it was proposed
that they should proceed inland on a pleasure excursion, whereby they
could enjoy change of air and scene, and also freely discuss any
matters that had to be arranged between them. They did so. Much
cordiality was evinced on either side, and perfect concord had existed
on every subject, until His Excellency expressed a hope that the Sohar
Chief would join Shaikh Syud bin Tahnoon and himself in the proposed
expedition against Brymee. On this point, however, Syud Humood was
not to be moved ; no words, no arguments could induce him to waver:
he had but one reply,—he could not, he would not, join His Excellency;
he was in strict alliance with the A1 Boo Khureyban, and they were
averse to the project;—he could not, he would not, assist in the
expedition.
This unexpected display of stubbornness on the part of his guest
greatly incensed His Excellency,, and led him to commit a breach of
faith and hospitality rarely equalled, I believe, in Arab history. He
determined to make his guest a captive; and at Shinas he caused
him to be seized, bound, and conveyed to the frigate in chains.
He then issued orders for the immediate march of the land forces
upon Sohar, and himself proceeded thither by sea. On the arrival of
the troops before the fort, Syud Ghes (brother of Syud Humood)
was called upon to surrender: he sent for reply a charged salute
from his batteries. The fort was invested both by land and by sea.
Syud Ghes applied to Shaikh Sultan for succour, and engaged, in
the event of being freed from his present difficulties, to pay him a yearly
tribute not less in amount than that he had hitherto paid to the
VVahabees. He also promised to co-operate with him against Shinas,
and the other forts of His Highness on the Batinah Coast.
Such an appeal was not likely to be disregarded by the Joasmee,
whose grasping and ever calculating spirit perceived at a glance what
a golden harvest was in store ; for not only did he feel that Syud Ghes
was purchasing help by an acknowledgment of his own subserviency,
but he also entertained rich ideas of personal aggrandisement in the
direction of Batinah. The Sohar Chief’s terms were speedily closed
with, and troops were despatched to his immediate assistance. In
the mean time Syud Soweynee, as was his custom, had met with
naught but reverses: his troops had been defeated by a handful
of the Sohar garrison, who sallied forth from their defences; the
A1 Saeed and other tribes refused to espouse his cause ; the Joasmee
succours were daily expected;—in fact, there seemed no chance
of success. His Excellency therefore raised the siege, and returned to

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