'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎424] (466/733)

424
UTTOOBEES.
ments they had effected ;—such, and such only, is the character of the
doings of Shaikh Mahomed bin Khaleefa during the remaining portion
of this narrative ; and having already entered so fully into detail on
the subject of the occurrences that took place during his late struggle
with the Wahabees, and other foes, and as it is chiefly with the same
foes that we have still to deal, it can hardly be necessary to do more than
describe with the utmost brevity the few facts that remain to be told.
The peace so happily concluded during the summer of 1851 was in
danger of being again disturbed early in the
ensuing year, by the precipitate conduct of
Shaikh Mahomed bin Khaleefa, who commenced complaining aloud,
and bitterly inveighing against Ameer Fysul, for locating the surviving
sons of Abdoolla bin Ahmed on the island of Demaum. He would not,
he said, so long as they remained in the above locality, disburse one
farthing of tribute ; he would not allow himself to be trifled with, either
by his kinsmen or by the Wahabee. Matters began once more to wear
an unsettled appearance, and might in the end have proved serious, had
not Captain Kemball, the Acting Resident, strongly counselled him to
adopt a conciliatory rather than an arrogant tone of behaviour,—"to
disarm rather than defy the Wahabee." His brother, Shaikh Ali, too, a
chief in every sense more temperate and wise than himself, did all in his
power to restrain him, and succeeded, by dint of argument, in persuad
ing him to pay the instalment of tribute that had now become due, and
which a person on the part of the Ameer had been deputed to receive.
The storm blew over, and for a short period the Uttoobee Chief showed
more than his usual discretion. He deputed envoys to Bushire, to
represent to the Resident the fears he entertained that a powerful
combination was being secretly formed against him ; that the Imaum
of Muskat was planning an attack upon his island; that Shaikh Syud
bin Tahnoon, not long since an ally, as also his recusant kinsmen, one
and all were ready to join the league, with a view to ensure his down
fall. These fears Captain Kemball in a great measure contrived to
dissipate, but at the same time he advised the chief in no way to relax
his efforts in defence of his territories; that although he did not actually
apprehend that contingencies such as he foretold would arise, yet was
it highly incumbent upon him to be well prepared to resist any sudden
attack that might perchance be made on his territories.
Other matters there were, submitted by the envoys : they revived the
subject of accommodation proposed to be effected between their superior.
Shaikh Mahomed bin Khaleefa, and the sons of the ex -chief; they
solicited the Resident's good offices to strive and induce Yoosoof bin
Ibrahim to return and reside upon their island.
In reply, Captain Kemball commenced by expressing his surprise and