Page 524 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

480 BENIYAS.

Shaikh Klialeefa at length availed liimsclf (May 1837) of the per ■
sion afforded by the Resident, to adopt hisTwn
a. d. 1837.
measures against Adecd, held by the Gubevsat
seceders from Aboothabee. He contrived to surprise them, killed fft
!
of their number, and rendered the place uninhabitable, by destroying aU
the forts and buildings, throwing into the wells the bodies of the slain
and filling them up with the ruins. 9
This act of vengeance caused much irritation and alarm in the minds
of the Joasmee and Debaye Chiefs, with the latter of whom some
of the Gubeysat look refuge; but the conduct of Shaikh Khaleefa
towards his revolted subjects, subsequent to his bringing them again
under subjection, being characterised by moderation, all those re-locat­
ed in Aboothabee having had their boats restored to them, and the
Shaikh publishing a full amnesty and pardon to such of the fugitives
who might choose to return, at the same time promising to give back
to them their vessels and property, on the condition of their demeaning
themselves for the future as quiet and obedient subjects, Shaikh Khadim
bin Nahman, and most of the heads of the tribes who had made their
escape on the occasion, were shortly induced by these favourable terms,
held out by the Beniyas Chief, to return and resettle in Aboothabee.
The whole of the Boo Eyneen Tribe, to the number of about three
hundred families, inhabitants of Wukra, on the
a. d. 1838.
Gultur Coast, under their Chief, Ali bin Nassir,
having vacated and destroyed that place, now (March 1838) took up
their residence at Aboothabee. This measure they adopted in order
to avoid the probable consequence of their long continued insubordi­
nate conduct towards their ostensible chief, Abdoolla bin Ahmed, of
Bahrein, who, having removed from the island to Khor Hassan, on the
main, greatly increased his influence over the Coast of Guttur, and
brought its inhabitants more under his immediate surveillance and
control.
Shaikh Khaleefa, who had suffered for a length of time much injury
and annoyance at the hands of his lately rebelled subjects, the Boo
Felasa of Debaye, now (May 1838) determined upon retaliation. During
the absence of the majority of the tribe on the pearl banks, he went
clandestinely with a small force, for the purpose of destroying their date
groves in the neighbourhood; but-ascertaining that the sea tower was
badly garrisoned, was tempted to make the attempt, and succeeded in
getting possession of it. On hearing of this occurrence, the people of
Debaye returned from the banks, and having obtained the powerful
assistance of the Shaikh of Shargah, Suggur bin Sultan, after three days
dislodged the Beniyas garrison (to which their chief could a or
relief), and completely destroyed the tower. The effect o t ic a o

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