Page 54 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

380 Records of Bahrain

After irmluro consideration I offered to take the Ohiof’a brother (Sheikh
Ahmed) down to El Biddah and all round by lias Itolckan and on to Ojair if
ncccwuiry; I would not allow him to land, but givo him ovory facility for let-
ting it bo known ho wan on board, and communicato personally with boats at
sen, and inform them that I would run down any boats I found at sea with
Uoni Hajir on board, or if ho preferred,, I would remain ton days at Bahrein
and touch at El Bidduh on my fiual departure from this place.
He naked me time lo consider about sending his brother.
I thought it best to let the Beni 'Hajir know I am here, as one thing is
certain, if they land whilo I am in the harbour, I can do nothing; but if I meet
them at sea, 1 cau stop them.
I had a deputation of buuyabs frorti tho shoro on tho second day of our
arrival, begging of mo to remain at' Bahrein. They read to mo a loiter
rccoivcd from their countrymen at El Biddah giving them notico of tho threat­
ened raid, and informing thorn that Mahomed Tlianco has refused them (Beni
Hajirs) boats; but they threaten to tako ono by force, go to sea, and take the
remainder. .
Thoy also iuformed me that they had been to the Chief to ask permission
to embark their goods; they have five or six dondeys or biiggalows close to the
shore all ready for that purpose. The Chief had told them, as long ns his bead
was on his shoulders they should not bo touched, and for God’s sako not to
think of ombarkiug their goods, as it would get the islaud a bad name aud
bo tho ruin of it. They askod me to speak to the Chief about allowing thorn to
tako tlioir goods afloat. They have been plundorcd ouco by tho Beni Hajir,
aud that was quito enough.
I told them that I was goiug to tako the Chief’s brother round the coast
with mo aud they had better remain as if there was nothing the matter, as I was
cortain that as soon as thoy commenced lo movo their goods Llioy would havo
troublo from the Ajmau pcoplo who were now on Uio island. At all cvcuts
thoy wero to remain quiet until I came back, by which tirno I would liavo ascer­
tained myself how matters stood.
Having embarked Sheikh Ahmed with five followers, Abdool Kurriin, tho
contractor, to intorpret, and ono buuyah, tho latter for communication with the
shoro with British subjects, so that tho Turks could not say I had lauded Arabs
on any part of their coast, wo sailed for El Biddah at r.M. of the Idilli where
wo arrived at 8 A.M..of tho lGtli.
I 6cnt tho buuyah on shore, who returned at 5 p.m. with three other bu-
nyahs belonging to El Biddah.
Also a man from Abdool bin Tlianco to see Sheikh Ahmed.
Information received from bunyaits was on tiio ship ontoring tho harbour it
caused somo commotion in the town. Buuyahs wero sent for, but could givo no
information.
The Commander of tho Turks then camo down to Mahomed bin Thauco s
houso and told thorn not to put thcmsolvcs out; thoy had only to say tho word,
and ho would writo thorn a fow words on a slip of paper, (showiug out tho 6izo
with his hand’s fingor), just sond it off to tho Captain, ho will up anchor ant
ho off at ouco. Bin Tlianco thanked him, told him to go back to his house anc
not troublo himself, as this was his work.
Tho Turks hayo thirty men hero chiefly Arab soldiers.
Tho bunyahs, four in number, coihplaincd that they had been kuccd by
Mahomed bin Tlianco to tho mnouut.of seventeen dollars (7-03-2 each),
Tlianco had told them it was required fpr tho Turks, aud they would bear lucii
share along with his pcoplo. It was no uso their talkiug aboutthcir loimcr
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