Page 501 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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WAIIA DEES. 457

bin Azan, telling him plainly that the tribute originally required at his
hands was too small in amount, and directing him to pay an additional
sn m ; and when objections were raised, he hastened to ravage his
territories, seizing upon the fort of Mujees, and ruthlessly butchering
the whole of the garrison within it. Syud Humood made preparations
for resistance, but guided and influenced by the advice of the elders of
his tribe, rather than witness the horrid scenes of bloodshed and
slaughter that must inevitably have followed, had he with his poor
resources dared to encounter the powerful Wahabee, he made good the
tribute demanded.
This breach of faith was quickly succeeded by another.
In June 1845, before an answer had been received by His Excellency
Syud Sowcynce from his father, the Imaum, pending the arrival of
which Syud bin Mootluk had pledged himself to refrain from hostilities,
he (Syud bin Mootluk) summoned the heads of the tribes to flock to his
standard, with their forces, and declared his intention to march upon
Muskat as early as possible.
A large army was speedily collected, and fears were entertained by
the Resident lest an attack should really be made upon His Highness’
dominions.
A strong naval demonstration was accordingly made off the Batinah
Coast, and letters were addressed by Major Hcnnell to the Wahabee
Ameer, as well as to his Lieutenant in Brymee, exhorting the former
to restrain his representative in Oman from such faithless proceedings,
i
and desiring the latter to desist from hostilities until he was possessed
of further advices from his superior, the Ameer. These measures
proved successful, and were, moreover, responded to in a satisfactory
manner by the Wahabee. The storm blew over. His Excellency
Syud Soweynee engaged, in the name of his father, to disburse
annually the sum of 5,000 crowns as tribute to the Ameer; adding
thereunto on the present occasion the sum of 2,000 crowns, by way of
a present to Syud bin Mootluk. Peace was concluded, and the Waha­
bee forces, after restoring the fort of Mujees, so unlawfully taken,
withdrew from the Sohar territories.
The welcome accorded to Syud bin Mootluk, when first he arrived
at Brymee, that bade fair to be so lasting and firm, did not prove of long
duration.
His proud and arrogant behaviour quickly alienated the affections of
all the tribes in Oman. Chief after chief conceived a hatred against
him, and ranged themselves in opposition to his cause. Of the
maritime chiefs, one alone (the Chief of Amulgavine) remained staunch
to his side.
The Shaikh of the Naeem, a powerful clan, and Syud Huinood bin :