Page 212 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

190 Part VI—Chap. XLII.
oolloctod a largo force of Bedouins and citizens, and moored with iron chains
to tho shore six or seven of their largest vessels, well rnannod, for tbo protection
of their shipping. Aftor a cannonade of three days, which was promptly and
effectually answered by tho hesieged, Sheikh Sultan’s baggalow having rccoivod
two shots in her hull, hiswholo floot woighed out of rango of tho guns on shuro,
and anchoring confined itsolf to tho maintenance of a close,blookado. Tho
bosioged woro shortly reduced to tho greatest distress from tho want of pro­
visions, ond tho departure of His Highness the Imam for his African posses­
sions removed all prospect of relief from foreign assistance. Their difficulties
were furthor greatly iucreasod by tho capture of thirty of their boats in Khyran
Boniyas, and the loss of ton men killed by tho people of Debayeo (of the
seceded tribe), who, also acting on tho offensive by land, intercepted and
carried off a caravan of fifty oamols, laden with dates from Brymi.
326. Pressed by famino, they fitted out three boats, manned with fivo
hundred men, and secretly despatched them to soa by night. Twenty vessels
of tho blookading squadron went in pursuit, but unable to oomo up with thorn
roturnod after three days to rosumo their position oil' Abuthabi, reinforced by
6omo additional vcssols from Bussora. Tho blookading squadron was not with­
out its difficulties and privations: provisions and water had to be brought from
Ras-ul-Khima and Lingah, and each individual being roquirod to send for
his own food, great suffering was experienced.
327. Both parties, therefore, tiring of these protracted hostilities, and dis­
posed to como to an arrangement, a peace was easily effected, through the
mediation of Mahomed bin Guzib, the Lingah Chief, on the condition that
Sheikh Kalifa bin Shakbut should givo up all the boats and property his
people had captured sinoe tho commencement of tho war; and the blockading
fleets were withdrawn.
The Wahabis were desirous of befriending tho Beniya9 in this quarrel,
but the threats of their representatives at Brymi proved insufficient to over­
awe the Joasmi Chief (whereby a decrease of the power of tho sect at that
time may bo argued), and had the effect only of restraining the Bedouins from
affording any assistance to Hussein bin Rahraah, who had been despatched into
the interior to raise troops for the purpose of cutting off the communication
with Abuthabi by land.
328. At the period of the disturbances in the Imaum’s dominions, owing
to the aggressions of his relative Hamud bin Azan, Sultan bin 8aggar
proceeded with a large fleet to his possession of Khore Fakaun and Dibba,
Although formerly requested by the Imam to assist his representatives in
Maskat in any quarrels with their neighbours, it was evident that, far from any
intention to exert his power and influence in favour of His Highness’s relatives,
his sole object was to avail himself of the state of affairs to benefit and promote
his own interests at the expense of either party.
329. The proceedings of his fleet, however, were not confined to depreda­
tions upon the boats belonging to Sohar and its dependencies, as the enemies
of the Imam, whoso interest he pretended to 6erve, as also upon the property
of tho subjeots of the Maskat Government, his ally, but wore extended to acts
of a decidedly piratical nature, upon the vessels of individuals having no
concern or connection whatever with the contending parties. Bor these of
course hetoas compelled by the British Qovertment to afford redress; but
with reference to the seizures of vessels belonging to Maskat, the acting
Governors of that place, fearing to incur his more decided enmity, so far from
remonstrating, tacitly, and in some cases openly, sanctioned them.
330. In 1837 Sheikh Sultan bin 8aggar applied for permission to grant
assistance to the Sheikh of Tovoanah against him of Charrak, both Persian sub­
jects, who were preparing to decide their quarrel by tho sword,—a request with
whioh his engagement connected with the establishment of the restrictive
line of course afforded one just plea, among others, to the Besident, for
refusing compliance.
331. The people of Hirat under tho authority of Sultan bin Saggar,
committing a piraoy upon a boat belonging to Bunder Abba9, that Chiof of his
own accord compelled restitution of the property plundered, and adopted
measures to prevent a recurrence of the offenoe.