Page 337 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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years the Shihiyin had been more than ever desirous of returnin'* under the
authority of tho Imam, and had been struggling to effect their separation from
tho Joasmi. In their conflicts by land much blood had been shed to this end,
and boat collisions had threatened tho tranquility of the sea. With the first
the Itesideut had nevor interfered. (Resident's letter i\o. 250, dated 23rd Anril
1858). F

100. As throwing much light on the affairs from Cape Mussendom to
Voi. ill—105 of i860, p. 173. Foreign Ras-ul-Kkima, we give below—
Deptutmoot correipondcoce, 14th July 1859. °

Extract from a Tour Report for 1859, submitted by the Political Resident in the Persian j
Qulf with his letter dated 27th May 1859, No. 196.
Shihiyin Forts.
Owing to seizures made by the tribes of this family as brought to the Resident’s notice by
Sheikh Sultan bin Saggar, he determined on inspecting the localities between Rus ul Khima
and Cape Mussendom, with the object of warning the Chiefs of the bad consequences of inter­
rupting the free navigation of vessels employed in peaceful pursuits in the vicinity of their
abodes. The Kesident wa3, moreover, anxious to exhibit to these people that the nooks and
hiding places, which afforded concealment and shelter to the slaves and tho pirates were not
sealed to British cruisers, while desirous of impressing on the Government ollicers themselves
that a little euterpriso would render chora familiar with localities which had hithoito been
studiously avoided or approached with dread by our vessels. To a steamship there could be
no risk whatever, and to a well found and 6mart sailing cruiser (above water as most of the
dangers are), the chances of accident are, in the Resident's opinion, very remote iudeed.
Arriving at Bakha at noon on the 2nd May, the Resident had tho satisfaction of effecting
the release of the four prisoners, not however without some difficulty, as they had been seized
in retaliation fur injuries done to their people by the Joasmi on former occasions. It was,
however, explained that, had their capture been effected on shore, on no account would tho
Rcsidcut have interfered, but as it was otherwise, and they were bond fide members of
peaceably disposed crews of tradiug boats, he insisted ou their liberation. They were thou
delivered up. and sent with tho Native Agent to Sultau bin Saggar. An intimation in writing
was also made to both parties that, should either again transgress by making similar captures
from the tradiug vessels, they might depend on the Resident demanding not o-dy the release
of the captives, but likewise penalty of a huudred dollars for every individual so taken. To the
Sheikhs of Khaasub aud Kurazar, the most influential of the Shihiyin, a similar advertise­
ment was made ou visiting their ports.
While occupied on these duties the intermediate bays and inlets were threaded by the
Bteam frigate “ Zenobiu,” with caution but with the utmost case. Every estuary and cove
was minutely examined, and communication held wiih tho singular class of people. The
Shihiyin, who have found a habitat in the few sandy spots which present themselves amid
the chaos of rock, of hill and uf precipice which abruptly rise from the depths of the Gulf, aud
which conceal commodious and unvisited harbours capable of affording both water and shelter
to those who may be in need of them and where, indeed, the pirate the slaves or the distressed
mariner might readily find a retreat, whether from the enemy or the 6torm. Besides Bokba,
Kba-:sab and Kumzar, wh«ch may bo denominated the principal villages of these people, thoy
possess Suber and Shem in Elphinstcne's Inlet, Ghool Ali in Colville’s Cove, aud other
intermediate betweeu Ras Alusseudora and Khoro Pakawn on the Batinah Coast, where a
steam vessel had never before been seen Great, therefore, was their surprise at fiuding the
frigate as it were at their very thresholds, wholly shot out from her element, the tea, and
traversing their inland waters like a -wan that had been familiar with them from infanev. Some
alarm was at first "viuced, but intercourse gradually dispelled its traces. The Resident in a
short time learnt that they had a predilection for the Government of the Imam of Maskat, but
were implacable against the Joasmi of Oman, Otherwise, they seem a poor and harmless
people, content with the produce of their uets, a few dates and the veriest rag* for clothing.
Their shingles of rubble, basalt or lava refuse from the precipices above them are on the
lowest scale and hidden, as thoy are, in the most secluded nooks of the rocks, must be quite
unbearable in the heats of a Gulf 6ummor. Yet they seem happy in their comparative
freedom, their only dread being the coming of the rapacious Joasmi from the s^a. On
the Resident assuring them lhat thoy need anticipate no molestation, so long os they themselves
refrained from outrage on the waters, they scorned to be overjoyed i hey talked of the ;
Portuguese vestiges yet oxinting in the neighbourhood, and wnen speaking amongst them­
selves indulged in a “ patois ” quite forcigu to every one, oven the Persians and Joasu-i* on
board, though readily understanding Arabic and conversing with strangers in that lauguago.
It was at first thought that they might bo offshoots of tho Poriugueso stock while that nati-n
held its sway at the neighbouring island of liormuzd, or Oortnuz, but car-ful andy.-is fiovcd
tho dialect to be of Persian origin, sadly corrupted and with inflections wholly different fiom
those of that lauguago. On the whole, irrespective of the grandeur of devolution which tho