Page 70 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

28 BAHREIN.

On the union of these tribes, for the purpose of resisting the attacks
of more powerful clans in the neighbourhood of Koweit, they determined
to become at once merchants and agriculturists, and that the
profits
arising from these occupations should be equally divided
amongst the
whole. From the tribe Sabah were to proceed their governors the
Yalahimah were to produce seamen, and the Khalifah to conduct the
commercial concerns.
The system had been pursued with success for fifty years, when the
mercantile federates became anxious to enjoy singly their lucrative
branch of the original league.
With this view Khalifah bin Mahomed, an artful chief, persuaded
the members of the other two tribes to permit him to pass over to the
pearl shore, near Bahrein, and as the purchase and sale of these consti­
tuted the principal source of their riches, to endeavour to procure a
share of that fishery for themselves, instead of continuing to purchase
from other hands.
The Yalahimah conveyed their brethren to Zobara, where they corn-
pletely succeeded in their object, and at length refused a share of the
profits resulting from its attainment to both the other parties in the
original compact. The Beni Sabah, too, who remained at Koweit, also
at length threw off the third party (the Yalahimah), who, stung by the
injustice of this double defection, retired to Ruaisah, a barren spot a
little to the eastward of Zobara, and commenced a system of reprisal on
their commerce, which brought the Khalifah to the brink of ruin.
Mutual hostilities now engaged these tribes, until the Yalahimah
were attacked in their retreat, and out to pieces, with the exception
of some women and children.
About this time Shaikh Nasr, Governor of Bahrein, tempted by the
prosperity of the settlement at Zobara, besieged it with vigour, but
sustaining a shameful defeat, quickly despatched the intelligence to
his son, whom he had left to guard the island, and charged him to be
resolute and vigilant against foreign attack, until he should come to his
assistance.
The boat conveying this despatch was taken on its passage, and the
papers perused by the Sabah, who, having heard of the meditated
attack of their brethren by Shaikh Nasr, were then advancing to assist
them. Aware of the defenceless state of Bahrein, they immediately
proceeded to the attack, and gained possession of its principal po&ts
previous to the arrival of Shaikh Nasr’s fleet, who, finding the island in
possession of an enemy, returned to Abooshahar.
The Sabah communicated their success to the Khalifah at Zobara,
who hastened to collect an army, in order to join their former com
panions, and reduced the unconquered parts of the island. AU * 0