'Annals of 'Omān' [‎42] (59/112)

42 Annals of 'Oman,
'Ali-bin Himyer was slain. The contest then terminated, and Mohammed-
bin Muhenna returned to Sohar.
When the Amir 'Omeyr-bin Himyer, who was at Bahla, heard what
had befallen his brothers and his cousin, he solemnly vowed not to turn
back from Sohar until he had reaped the enemies with the sword, burnt
them with fire, and scattered them in all directions. He commenced col-
lecting forces by land and by sea, and there assembled round him a force
of whom God alone could tell the number. He then proceeded to Maskat,
to obtain re-inforcements by sea. He sent also to the Malik of Hormuz
for assistance, and he sent him a number of ships laden with stores and
men and munitions of war. A ship also had arrived on the coast from
India, carrying a large number of troops and some munitions of war 8 and
had been driven back by the wind to Maskat. The Amir 'Omeyr-bin
Himyer took it, and proceeded with the Christians and others who had join
ed him from Maskat, and halted for seven nights at Batineh el-Sib. Mo
hammed-bin Jafir, hearing of this, marched with his 'tribe to the aid of
Mohammed-bm Muhenna, and entered Sohar, to the joy of the latter, who
gave him admission to the Fort and encouraged his men. A collision' took
place between Mohammed-bin Jafir's men and a party in one of the bas
tions of the Fort, and they fought for an hour. Mohammed-bin Jafir and
Ins people then quitted Sohar.
Wlion the Amir 'Omeyr heard of this oeeurrenee, he moved his forces
on Sohar by land and sea, and entered that town on the 19th of Kahi' ul-
Aklnr, A. H. 1025, [A. D. 1016.]
A battle which ensned between the rival forces, lasted from morninj; to
night, but without decisive result. A day or two later, the Christians dis
embarked Irom the ships with their implements of war. In advancing they
pushed before them gabions of cotton, to shelter them from the musketry
hre. 1 hey also employed cannon, which moved by land on wooden carriages,
and were fitted with wooden screens. On one side of the Fort, Mohammed-
bin Muhenna had a tower m which were a large number of soldiers The
besiegers dragged their cotton screens to a position opposite this tower, and
battered it with eannon until a breach was effected, when the garrison
evacuated it and the Christians entered. When Mohammed-bin Muhenna
heard of this he urged on his men, and a fight took place by night at the
neTh- m MV Ch .'?; bl ° Thahal " bin Mohammed-bin Hafidh and Mobam-
I H WM [A n D leieT" Were kille<1 ' 0n the 21st of fiaM ' ul " A lihir '
After this event, Snlffa-bin Himyer-bin Mohammed-bin Hafidh el-
Nehham with Ins brother Kahlan-bin Himyer and his cousin Muhenna-
Mohammed-bin Hafidh and their forces occupied the fort.
As soon as the Amir 'Omeyr became aware of the death of the chief of