Page 443 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

TJTTOOBEES. 399

two boats to warn oflf a friendly or neutral vessel was not apparent, and ’
favoured, on one side the belief that the Shaikh did not know that the
Gooncha was under the British Hag, or suspected its having been
hoisted by his enemies as a mere ruse,—to the benefit of which supposi­
tions he had some title, inasmuch as it remained a doubt whether the
Gooncha had shown her colours on entering the harbour, or only
when approached by the Shaikh’s boats,—and as the armed vessels of
the Kenn Chiefs were hourly expected to the assistance of their
colleague, who, as before mentioned, had already effected a landing
on the island; yet, on the other side, it was asserted that due informa­
tion had been given him of the Gooncha being under British protection,
and thus left room for the suspicion that the Arabs merely acted in
conformity with the directions of their master. The despatch of two
well manned boats, with a peaceable object, indicated at least a most
culpable want of care and precaution on his part against irregularities,
aware, as he undoubtedly was, that the parly consisting of mercenary
Bedouins, proverbially not gifted with great discrimination, could not
withstand the temptation of securing a prize, which their superiority in
numbers and warlike equipment placed within their power.
The Shaikh denied all participation in, or delegation of authority for,
the outrageous conduct of his agents. A vessel of war was with
all haste despatched, for the purpose of making a due investigation, !
with a view to the establishment of grounds for demanding redress.
The occurrences at Bahrein in the interim, however, rendered this
of little or no avail.
The brother of Mahomed bin Khaleefa, coming to Munama with
a party of horse and foot, and favoured by the inhabitants, obtain­
ed possession of the place, and was very soon joined by the allied
chiefs from Kenn in great force.
The combined forces proceeded immediately (April 1843) to the
attack of Muharag, and, defeating the troops of Abdoolla bin Ahmed,
compelled him to take refuge in a small fort, situated at no great
distance from the town, which they so completely invested as very
shortly to have it in their power to dictate their own terms. Allowing
him no more than one Buteel and one Gooncha, for the conveyance
of himself and his personal property and dependents, they permitted
him to quit the island. On the ejection of the father, the fort of
Arad, held by his sons, surrendered at discretion : these were, however,
permitted to remain and reside on the island. Shaikh Abdoolla
proceeded to Demaum (the only place now left that acknowledged
his authority), of which his eldest son Moobaruk was governor. Every
precautionary measure was taken by his opponents to ensure the good
will or neutrality of the neighbouring States; and this was the more

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