Page 340 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

42
that this sort of outrage could not be tolerated, and that, if ho had anything to
object, he must say it to the Baliooz, who would soon be hero. After long
and unsatisfactory talk, the two withdrew with their men. I endeavoured to
preserve cool temper throughout, and impress upon theso men that such an
act as they had committed was iu our eyes a serious breach of propriety, a
man from ICumza, armed with a matchlock slung across his hack, whoso face waa
not unknown to me, interfered during tho whole affair in a manner which had
erorv appearance of friendliness to us and our position. After this little scene
we had quiet for the day. Road service in the said shed to a party of about 15.
“ Gun-boat returned about 9| r.M.
» Mo»d*y, 22//ri.—Abid came in the morning. I had already instructed the
moonsheo to say that I was displeased at the behaviour of these Chiefs yesterday;
so much so, that I hud rather not talk to them in our camp, or that they come
here at all Jf they wished to see me, 1 would go ami meet them on board
Victoria, which could draw near the shore if necessary. He went away annoyed,
as 1 was told, and said something about writing to Khussub and Kumza.
“ Tuesday, 23rd.—Abid appeared again in the morning, bringing a sick old
man for treatment. I went up close to him without recognizing him, as he
had left oil his turban and wore a scull cap. Finding who it was and the
mission on which be had come, 1 thought it better to rplax so far as to say a
few words and to take the old man to Air.
• Utiug th« woid " tab*," obedient. Campbell. Abid made some remark *and
touched his head, evidently intending that he was submissive ; whether sincere
or not, I cannot say : the moonshee was of opinion ‘ that he is thoroughly sorry
at what has occurred.’
“This concludes the description of the first event. I proceed now to relate
the second event, ami think it best to subjoin Colonel Goldsmid’s version of
this also ; Colonel Goldsmid has described it as follows
“ Wednesday, 24/A.—A strip of pap»-r was brought to-day, of which the
following seems a tolerably correct version:—

From Hamid bix Mahomed and Alee nix Rashid and all the Bedouioa, to His Excellenoy
the vyed Baliooz.
“ Greeting. ‘ *We inform you that the Bedouins came to you and received
jtBsseasjasa.w 5f5srsjutrrjsr,ss
anything •!■*. Bedouins, and ibe people of the sea have
(Sd.) H. r.
nothing to do with these hills.
K i And Soolovmun and Abid and Hamid cannot keep the Bedouins from
you, nor cm the people of Khussab do so ; give us something, or your abode is
net safe.’
‘•The messenger who brought it has been told by the moonshee that he
could not read it; but I thought it better to say plainly if he wanted an
answer, he had better await the arrival of the Baliooz, to whom it was addressed,
and who was daily expected. He said he was going to Mukhukoo, and would
return in the morning **.
(Sd) F. J. Goldsmid,
On Special Duty.

“ On the 27th instant the Bedouins’ messenger returned for a rejoinder to
the letter he had delivered on the 24th. After consultation with Colonel
Goldsmid, 1 gave tho messenger a verbal reply to the effect that, if the Bedouin
Chiefs who had deputed him were desirous of conferring with me on any
subject, I should be happy to receive a visit from them on board Her Majesty’s
Vessel Coromandel.
“The messenger thereupon departed, and up to the present instant nothing
further has been beard either of him or of the Chiefs who sent him. I pass
now to the consideraiion of our position at AJuklub as viewed in a general
light, and on this subject 1 am happy to have it in my power to state that, 60
far as present appearances warrant my pronouncing au opinion, matters are
looking up and our prospoots are brightening.

.