Page 550 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

506 BOO FELASA.

Soweynee, and eventually, when His Highness arrived and
commenced
operations against the Sohar Chief, he afforded him
active support,
and remained in union until the spring of the succeeding
year, when,
while on his way from Muskat to the island of Kishm, he
was seized
I • with an attack of small-pox, which carried him off before h
the end of his journey. jc reached
There was much of good in Shaikh Mukloom: he
was a chief of
undoubted bravery and ability ; he was also, so far as
we are able to
judge, as much esteemed and beloved by the people of his tribe
as any
one of the maritime chiefs; and, as regards the fulfilment of
engage­
ments with the British Government, I cannot do better, I think than
quote the opinion expressed by Captain Kemball in one of his letters to
Government regarding him :—
“ Shaikh Muktoom,” he tells us, “ though manifesting on his first
establishment at Debaye a refractory spirit, which led to the adoption
of coercive measures towards him, had at least for the past ten years
been distinguished among the chiefs of the coast for the general observ­
ance of his engagements, and apprehending clearly the policy of the
British Government as conducive to the advancement and prosperity of
the Arab States, for the earnestness of his endeavours in support of its
arrangements to preserve the maritime tranquillity of the Gulf.”
Shaikh Muktoom was succeeded by his brother Shaikh Syud bin
Butye in the Chiefship.
Shortly after assuming the reins of government, Shaikh Syud bin
Butye (on the 2nd October 1852) repaired to Muskat, on a visit to His
Highness Syud Saeed. His departure at so early a season, before he
was firmly seated in his new position, was scarcely prudent or wise;
for he must have been well aware that there were aspirants to the chief-
ship he held, eagerly seeking an opportunity to take to themselves
what they looked upon as their hereditary right. We find, accordingly,
that Syud bin Butye had barely left his seat ere “ the sons of the late
Muktoom, by name Soheil and Husher, with their maternal uncle Majid
bin Dulmooj, and some of the A1 Boo Felasa, surprised the fort of
Debaye, whose garrison acted treacherously and had an understanding
with them, and they took the fort, seizing the guardian appointed by
Syud bin Butye, by name Syud bin Rashid, the maternal uncle o
Muktoom, who was asleep, and whom they placed in confinement, toge
ther with another person, named Khaleefa bin Saeed.’ Syud bin
Rashid did not remain in captivity long; he was set at liberty, an
permitted to assume the title of chief, but not to resume comman
the forts, which continued in the hands of Soheil and Husher. ^ y^
means content with the mere nominal power that thus reverte o
to treachery for the purpose
self, Syud bin Rashid resolved to resort

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