Page 33 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat
P. 33

23
                         Selections from the Records, 1818-1856

                                   UTTOODEES.                           365
         16.  Shaikh Nassir, after this unsuccessful attempt, proceeded with
       Shaikh Rashid to Asccloo, to re-equip a force for another attack of
       Zobara. The latter would appear, notwithstanding his recent inter­
       ference as a mediator, to have taken an active part against the Utloobccs,
       on account of their having captured a boat of his, and put eighteen of
       her crew-to the sword. Shaikh Nassir, however, returned to Bushire
       on the 12th of June, and on the 5lh of August Shaikh Rashid arrived
       with the Persian garrison of Bahrein, which they had been under the
       necessity of surrendering on the 28lh of July.
         17.  The A1 Subah, who had continued to increase their power and
       possessions at Kowcit, hearing of the distress of their old confederates,
       prepared to relieve them. On their way to Zobara with that view,
       they intercepted a small fishing-boat, which had been despatched
       by Shaikh Nassir to his son at Bahrein, to apprise him of his
       defeat, charging him to be resolute and watchful in defending
       the island until assistance should reach him. The information was
       valuable, and led to their adopting prompt and decisive measures.
       They immediately sailed to Bahrein, and obtained possession of the
       principal foils. The news of this success having reached Zobara,.every
       cllbrt was made by the A1 Khalccfa to raise auxiliaries for the subjec­
       tion of the island, which they soon accomplished.
          IS. On the conquest of Bahrein, they proceeded to reward their
       companions on this service. The four sons of Jaubir bin Uttoobec were
       among the number. These, not at all instructed, nor improved by their
        habits of life, and without even the power their father appeared to
        possess to substantiate their claims, demanded from the Khalccfa Chief
        the enjoyment of territorial and political rights, which being refused,
        they left the island in disgust, and prosecuted the mode of life in which
        their ancestors had been bred, in which they have ever since
        persevered.*
          19.  Active preparations were still made by the Shaikhs of Julfar
                              and Ormus to join Shaikh Nassir in another
             a. d. 1/83.
                              attack of the Zobara and Grane Arabs, in which
        they were to be assisted by a force of six thousand men, which Ali
        Moorad Khan promised to furnish at the close of the year. However,,
        every design to proceed on a second expedition appears to have been
        abandoned for a time.
          20. Preparations for that puvposc were, however, renewed in the
                              close of the following year, and on' the 12th of
              Ak d. 1785.
                              February 1785 Shaikh Nassir proceeded by land
         to Congoon, and the Bushire and Bunder lleig fleets sailed for that place
          * For   n continuance of their history, see" Khor Ilassan,” in the latter part of this
         Selection.
   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38