Page 398 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

354 JOASMEES.

support him; encouraging him, however, to hold out bravely, and, please
God, reinforcements would shortly arrive from Nujd.” ’ 1
Again, at the close of the same month, when talking of Shaikh
Muktoom of Debayc, he writes on the 25th June 1848“He has no
confidence in Syud bin Tahuoon. With regard to his relations with
Shaikh Sultan, outwardly a constant intercourse is kept up between
them, but inwardly God knows ! A constant correspondence is also going
on between Shaikh Sultan and Shaikh Syud. I cannot distinguish the
false from the true men, as the chiefs of these parts are all endeavouring
each to deceive his neighbour.”
In a further letter he writes • “ On the 6th Shaban (8th July
1848) Shaikh Syud despatched from Brymee a special courier to Ras-
ool-Khyma, with a letter to Shaikh Sultan, to the effect, I understand,
that if he desired the continuance of their alliance on its present footing,
he must at once commence hostilities against the people of Debaye, and
prohibit and cut off their intercourse with his (the Joasmee’s) territories.
Shaikh Sultan was greatly perplexed, and knew not what reply to give.
He resolved therefore to return an evasive answer, in terms of acquies­
cence,—to the effect that their engagements remained unaltered, and
that he had prohibited all commerce and intercourse between his
territories and those of Debaye. On the night of the 9th Shaban (11th
July), after the above answer had been sent, Soleyman, one of Shaikh
Sultan’s followers, secretly took his departure from Shargah for Debaye,
without the knowledge of the inhabitants, apprehensive lest it should
reach the ears of Shaikh Syud bin Tahnoon. On meeting Shaikh
Muktoom and his elders, he informed them that at heart Shaikh Sultan
desired the closest alliance and friendship with them, but that he
begged them for the present to forbid their tribe from continuing their
intercourse with Shargah, and he purposed proclaiming publicly in
Shargah that none should communicate with Debaye, in order that the
rumour might spread abroad in the country. Shaikh Muktoom and his
elders replied that they would not oppose the views of Shaikh Sultan.”
Some three or four months later in the year, after Shaikh Sultan s
territories had been forayed by the troops of the Aboothabee Chief, and
after he had complained of the said foray in the bitterest terms to
the Resident, reproaching Shaikh Syud with breaches of faith, and all
__ of treachery, but omitting, of course, to mention how he, by his
manner
own conduct, had brought the attack upon himself,—after all this,
he committed himself to a most extraordinary piece of duplicity.
On one and the same day (30th October 18'48) did he make overtures
of peace to Shaikh Syud bin Tahnoon, and issue an order to the
people of Shargah, forbidding them “ to proceed on their voyages,