Page 54 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

44 Records of Bahrain

38 G UTTOODEES.

his eyes to their tyrannous and extortionate proceedings, which, if
unchecked, promised, at no very distant period, to effect the ruin and
depopulation of the rich and fertile island.
The Shaikh was nevertheless fully aware of the probable results of
these divisions in his family ; and apprehending the necessity which'"
might occur for bringing over troops from the mainland, for the purpose
of re-establishing his authority, and the scene of bloodshed and plunder
that must necessarily ensue, took the precaution, customary and suffi­
cient in the eyes of the Arabs to absolve him from further blame or
responsibility, to warn a Bushirc merchant, in the presence of the
British Agent, for the information of the rest, and also of the Shaikhs of
that town, that he must no longer look to him for redress or protection.
The Shaikh then prepared for his removal to IChor Ilassan, by des­
patching to that place two of his wives, with their
a. d. 1837.
families, together with the furniture of the houses,
even to the very doors,—a proceeding which much alarmed his sons and
relatives, as leaving them in doubt as to what ulterior measures he
might have in contemplation ; and tended for a time to check their
insubordinate and unruly conduct.
The Amayir and Huwajir Tribes, (the Huwajir inhabiting Dc-
maum, under the authority of the Utloobec Chief,) taking advantage of
the disturbed state of Nujd, in consequence of the struggle for power
between Ameer Fysul and the pretender Khalid, commenced the
systematic plunder of all boats belonging to Kateef, including also,
occasionally, those from Bahrein. Shaikh Abdoolla bin Ahmed there­
fore solicited and obtained the sanction and authority of the Resident
to chastise them, which he did by forcibly seizing two of their boats,
in effecting which five of their number were killed.
• Shaikh Abdoolla bin Ahmed, although anxiously desirous for the return
to his authority of the rulers of the Al Ali and Boo Ejman, who had
with their tribes seceded to Aboothabce, yet, with marked obstinacy
and inconsistency, would make no concession, or yield no point which
could lead to an amicable settlement;. and further, complained (in
October 1838) of permission being granted equally to them as to him,
in the event of his desiring to resort to hostilities, forgetting that
through the Resident’s remonstrances and exertions alone had the Al
Ali for three years past been restrained from revenging the injuries
they had sustained at his hands, and imagining, apparently, that while
free himself to adopt forcible measures against the Al Ali, they, on the
other hand, were to be withheld from offering any opposition in self-
defence.
All persuasions and attempts at mediation having failed, both parties
were informed that no further interference would be made, and that on

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