'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎228] (270/733)

228 MUSK AT.
Government placed in jeopardy, by the impolitic measure of leaving
the defence of its forts to a foreign and powerful tribe. The Muttowas,
a warlike and ambitious race, took advantage of every opportunity
to strengthen themselves in their present position, and by degrees
succeeded in usurping all authority. They proclaimed themselves the
lawful possessors of the Sohar forts, and contrived, by a combination
of rare dexterity and force, to eject therefrom Syf bin Humood, then
chief of the place ; they also seized upon Syud Ghes, brother of Syud
Humood, and to prevent all chance of either regaining his lost posses
sions, they cast them both into prison.
Syud Syf after a while effected his escape, and calling in Shaikh
Kahtan bin Syf, the Shinas Governor, to his assistance, made a vigorous
and sudden attack upon Sohar, expelled the Muttowas, and re-establish
ed himself in authority. This authority was not, however, to remain
with him long. The father, ever jealous of the son, resolved to destroy
him, and hired the confidential servant of his master to carry into
execution his base and treacherous purpose : Syud Syf was assassinated
in his bed, and the murderer resumed his position.
Such was the posture of affairs in Sohar when Syud Soweynee
appeared off Shinas in his frigate the Fyz Allum. The immediate object
of his visit was to act in concert with Syud bin Tahnoon, the Aboo-
thabee Chief (with whom His Excellency was now in close alliance),
against Syud bin Mootluk, the Chief of the Wahabees. He also found
his presence necessary in that quarter to counteract the plans oi the
Joasmees, who were mediating an attack upon His Highness' forts of
Shinas, Khore Fukaun, and Ghulla.
On arrival. His Excellency expressed a desire to hold an interview
with Syud Humood bin Azan, for the purpose of renewing his friendly
relations with that chief, and restoring to their original footing the terms
of the treaty concluded between Syud Saeed and himself. J he Sohar
Chief cheerfully responded to this apparently generous appeal, and
hastened to wait upon His Excellency. Their first interview was held
at a place called Mudwal, situate between Sohar and Shinas, and was
shortly followed by another at Shinas itself, on which latter occasion, so
little did Syud Humood suspect His Excellency of treachery, so
convinced was he of the sincerity of his professed motives, that he
alighted at Shinas unattended by escort, without retinue—his only
attendants consisted of one confidential servant, and other followers to
the number of ten ;—this, too, at a time when His Excellency had
come in a ship equipped for war,—when a land force destined to co
operate with the Aboothabee Chief against Brymee had arrived on the
spot.
Let us now proceed to relate the result of the meeting,—let us leain