Page 393 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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JO ASM EES. 349 1
had committed should have been distasteful to the British Government; I
but that, as he himself must admit, every chief has a right to erect in his
own territories structures of whatsoever description he chooses, so he
was puzzled to imagine how, by the construction of the fortifications at
Khan, he could possibly have given just cause for offence.
He at first denied, but subsequently granted, that he had pledged
himself to the Commodore not to complete the towers until he had 1
learned the Resident’s opinion regarding them. That promise, however,
was furnished, he said, on a distinct understanding that the Chief of
Debaye was on his part to keep the peace; and as the latter proved a
constant thorn in his side, and was for ever annoying him, he had no
alternative left but to continue the building.
Captain Kemball plainly perceiving that further discussion would be
unattended with success, proceeded on the 14th and loth March 1846 to
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hold interviews with the Shaikh of Debaye, and his allies of Ejman
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and Amulgavine.
These three chiefs expressed a great desire for peace, but at the same
time most justly observed, that so long as Shaikh Sultan acted the part I!
of an aggressor, which he most undoubtedly had hitherto done, it was
but right and proper that they, weak individually, though strong
collectively, should combine to repel his attacks ;—in short, that as they
were well aware he was anxious to reduce them from a state of inde­ i
pendence to one of subjection, they had resolved to stand by each other
to the last extremity. Should the British Government, however, gua­
rantee that no inland aggressions would be permitted against their
territories, they would at once withdraw their forces, and abstain from
the prosecution of warfare. This proposition, being one that could not II
be entertained for an instant, was at once rejected ; and the inveterate
obstinacy of Shaikh Sultan, coupled with the determined opposition of
Shaikh Muktoom and his allies, leaving no room for hope that affairs
could be peaceably arranged without compromising the British Govern­
ment, Captain Kemball quitted the coast, and returned to his post at
Bushire.
i He had scarcely been gone a day and a night ere an event took t
I place that paved the way for the re-opening of negotiations. i
Shaikh Suggur bin Sultan, the Chief of Shargah, together with
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Abdoolla bin Howeylim, the head of the Beni Kuttub, having made a
foray into the neighbourhood of Amulgavine, were suddenly attacked
by a large body of troops, under the personal command of Abdoolla
bin Rashid (Chief of Amulgavine). A fierce struggle ensued, neither !
parly yielding an inch, until Shaikh Suggur fell from his horse, mortally
wounded; on perceiving which the Shargah party took to their heels,
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and hastened back to their homes.