Page 84 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

74 Records of Bahrain

416 UTTOODEES.

forsook ihc cause of the Bahrein Chief, and united themselves to the
Wnhabccs, which caused Mahomed bin Khalccfa to address the Resi­
dent, informing him that Ilumecd bin Mujdell, having renounced his
allegiance, lie could no longer be held responsible for any irregularities
that chief might think fit to commit.
Somewhat later in the season (August), an amicable arrangement was
entered into between Ameer Fysnl and the ruler of Bahrein, by the
terms of which the Ameer pledged himself, although he took Abdoolla
bin Alnncd under his protection, and gave him asylum at Lahsa, not to
aid or abet the ex-chief in any measures lie might be pleased to adopt
with a view to the re-establishment of his own authority. Shaikh
Mahomed bin Khalccfa engaged on his side to pay the Wahabec the
sum of 4,000 dollars; and thus for a time terminated the protracted
struggle between the Shaikh of Bahrein and the people of Ameer Fysul.
Scarcely, however, had Abdoolla bin Alnncd taken up his abode at
Lahsa, under the wing of the Ameer, than his discontented spirit began
once more to cry aloud, and to crave a fresh recurrence to mischief.
JIo suddenly left the place, and returned toDemaum, where lie launched
one of his vessels, with the supposed intention of proceeding to
Kenn, for the purpose of entering into a confederacy with the dis­
contented Ultoobecs on that island against Mahomed bin Khalccfa.
The fears of the latter chief were at once revived : his mind, never at ease,
became haunted with pictures of nought but attacks and conspiracies to
depose him ; nor were those fears relieved by the unlookcd for defection
of his dependent, Esai bin Tarif, who took offence at some proceeding
on the part of his master, formed a coalition with (< his former deadly
enemy, the ex-chief, and demanded from Shaikh Mahomed bin Khalccfa
the restoration of the vessels and possessions of his grand uncle, Shaikh
Abdoolla bin Ahmed.”
Preparations were set on foot by either party for an immediate re­
course to maritime hostilities, and a collision would no doubt have
ensued, had it not been for the opportune arrival of Commodore Lowe*
in the Elphinslone, who placed an interdict upon any engagement at
sea until the sanction of the Resident had been fully obtained. In due
course of time this permission was granted, and hostilities commenced.
An engagement took place on the mainland near Fowarit, between the
troops of Esai bin Tarif and those of Shaikh Mahomed bin Khalccfa,
the latter commanded by the Shaikh in person, which ended fatally to
the A1 Ali side, who lost their chief, and were signally defeated.
Whatever prospects of success might have been hitherto held by Ab­
doolla bin Ahmed must now have been effectually blasted, for not only
was he deprived of the services of a strong and powerful ally by the