Page 137 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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On tho 14th Sliawal, nt doad of night, ho arrived and erncampcd at a distance of 1$ hours’
maroh from Riadh. Here he divulged the real object of his expedition to hia followers, no 1
invited thoso who favoured his schcino to follow him, giving others the option of leaving if
they elected to do so; hut they all unanimously promised him their cordial support and
declared that they would not forsake him to the last. From this camp they all proceeded on
foot under cover of the night to a dato grove in close proximity to the city walls, where Abdul
Aziz ordered tbo main portion of his party to wait for his ordor>', meanwhile he would go and
find out a place to 6orve as an ambuscade until daybreak, which would bo a more convenient
opportunity for their attack as the palace would bo easily accessible during tho day. His fol­
lowers, howover, wero averse to his going, and suggested that some one else should ho sent
instead, but Abdul Aziz told them that it. was imperative for their ends that ho should see to
it personally. He accordingly left with eight picked men belonging to tho Jalwi family, his
brother and some of hia special retainers, leaving the rost in the date grove to await his instruc­
tions aud with orders not to load their gnn lest one of them might go off and warn the inmates
of the garden of their presence. And L’rovidcnco led his foot-6teps to a house adjoining that of
Ajlan, the owner of which was known to him, and he knocked at the door. This took place at
eight hours after nightfall. The owner of the house asked who he was and what he wanted,
and Abdul Aziz in reply gave the name of a certain retainer of Bin Rashid's who was known
to the owner of the house, adding that ho was sent there by Ajlan to call him because a mes­
senger had arrived from tho Amir aud Ajlan wanted him immediately. Upon this the house
owner flung the door open, and Abdul Aziz at once seized him and put a dagger to his throat,
and having informed him that he was Abdul Aziz, hade him be quiet, failing which ho would
be killed. Abdul Aziz ordered bis men to stop the woman from raising an alarm, and at onco
sent a member of the Jalwi family to summon his troops, who all came and joined him without
attracting any attention. After this Abdul Aziz went to the house of Ajlan, caught hold of
his wife and threatened her with death unless she kept quiet. Some of tho followers of Abdul
Aziz now entered Ajlan’s house, while the rest remained in the adjoining house. Abdul Aziz
then enquired and learnt from Ajlan’s wifo that ho goncrally returned from the palace at oue
hour after sunrise.
The gates of Ajlan’s house and the palace face each other. When the time for Ajlan’s
return drew near they opened the wicket in the gateB and took their horses out in the sun, and
half an hour after this Ajlan left the palace for his house hut. was intercepted by Abdul Aziz.
He at once retreated, making for the palace, but Abdul Aziz overtook him before he could enter
the gates and slew him on his threshold. Abdul Aziz then seized the gates aud his followers
immediately entered the palace and killed all its inmates. According to authentic news,
Ajlan, his brother and fourteen others fell in this small action, and the palace with a quantity
of arms and ammunition together with a number of horses fell into the bauds of Abdul Aziz.
The townspeople were not aware of the advent of Abdul Aziz until after they hoard the reports
of the guns. Abdul Aziz then posted himself on the top of the palace and announced to tho
people that Bin Saud had re-conqucrcd his country and visaded all who professed to be pacific
to give their arms. He subsequently summoned them to the palace and addressed them ou
the. misrule of Bin Rashid and on the leniency and kindue$6 of the previous rulers belonging
to his own family, and they all entered into covenant with him and he commenced tho forti­
fication of the walls and the fort, the palaeo having beon already thoroughly fortified by Bin
Rashid.
The people of Ncjd, Bedouins as well as settled residents, are all unanimously in favour of
Bin Saud and would readily uphold his cause as soon ns they are convinced that he is sutfici-
cntly strong. Bin Rashid's Walia have been expelled from somo of the villages, and most have
abandoned their posts and gone to join Bin Rashid. It is reported the people of llareek have
turned out Bin Rashid’s Wall aud the revenue of Kharj has been paid to Abdul Aziz.
The Arab Sheikhs have all flocked round Abdul Aziz, and it is reported that an emissary
from the Shaibance has gone to the Ataiba to tell the latter of the former’s intention to join,
them. The Bin Humcid, the Bin Rabian, tho Bin Hadlan, tho Zaboit and the Sulail are the
6ub-scctions of the Ataiba and have concentrated at (the Ataiba) hcad*quartors. These arc the
most powerful Bedouins in Nejd, and most of them are opposed to Biu Rashid. It is possible
that they may number about 5,000 horse all told (besides a considerable number of foot). The
Dowasir, the Arji, the Sabca, the Soohood and the Shamer Arabs are all opposed to Bin Rashid
and have gowo to join Bin Saud, with whom are also the Ajmad, the Murrah and the Mutair;
aod the remaining nomadic Bedouins of Nejid, viz., tho Shammer, the Hovb, the Zafeer, the
Kbatan and tho Uuraid, who aro Ifc'ho only Arabs favourable to Bio Rashid, are watching the
turn of events and would oast in their lots with tho stronger party, but the Shammer are Bin
Rashid’s own tribe.”
257. Tho rising in Nejd against Ibn Rashid 'was ono, which apparently he No. 883,
waa unable to cope with, and it was roported that about the middle of Maroh be
bad sent an envoy to Basrah, asking for holp against the rebola and Abdul
Aziz. No answer appears to have been given at the time to the Amir’s request.
lie also wrote to the Sultan accusing the
No. 20 of Socrct £., Oetobor 1902, Not. 11*41.
English of seeking to establish themselves
with tho aid of tho Sheikh of Kowoit in portions of Arabia which dominate
Turkish possessions in Kalif and Hasan.