Page 540 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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496 DENIYAS.

to Hajee Yacoob, for the purpose of handing back the property plunder­
ed, and of intimating his intention to restore the slaves lie had lake n, so
soon as they returned from the pearl banks.
But two more points remain to be noticed ere we draw this Sketch
to a close.
Towards the end of the year 1852 the Bcniyas Chief espoused the
cause of Shaikh Syud bin Butye, the new Shaikh of Debaye, whose
right to the chiefship being disputed by the sons of the late Shaikh
Muktoom, his brother, had led to the latter fleeing for protection to
Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur, and craving his assistance towards regaining
the seat they had so lately won, but been unable to retain.
In the spring of the ensuing year, on the occasion of the advent to
Brymee of Abdoolla bin Fysul, with a consider­
a. d. 1853.
able Nujdee force, the course pursued by Shaikh
Syud bin Tahnoon was diametrically opposed to that of the Joasmee.
Finding that the latter was doing all in his power to induce the
Ameer’s son to invade the districts of Batinah, he at once expressed
his strong disapproval of the proposed plan, by dismissing to their
homes the larger portion of his followers, and begging, if the expedi­
tion were finally determined on, to be permitted to withdraw.
The measures adopted by the Resident, coupled with the above
show of opposition, and the assumption of a hostile altitude by His
Excellency Syud Soweynee, dictated to Abdoolla bin Fysul the advisa­
bility, if not the necessity, of abandoning the project of an attack on the
Imaum’s territories, and satisfying himself with demands for payment
of an increased amount of tribute.
When matters had been brought to a settlement, Shaikh Syud bin
Tahnoon returned to Aboothabee to wait upon the Resident, who was
off that port on his tour of the Gulf, and on arrival he subscribed to
the new Treaty of Peace* (May 4th, 1853) concluded by the Ma­
ritime Chiefs of Oman, for a complete cessation of hostilities for ever

at sea.
* Vide pages 88 and 89 of this Selection.