'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎458] (500/733)

458
WAHABEES.
Azan, united together, and were shortly joined by the Muttowas for
the purpose of withstanding the oppression of one they styled' a^i
invader. The roads from Brymee to Nujd were infested with robbers"
opposed to his ascendancy,—so much infested, indeed, that not a mes'
senger of his could pass but was beaten ; not a fraction of treasure
could be sent to the Ameer in Nujd yet, notwithstanding the mani
fold proofs of the disgust that was growing towards him, he issued
orders for the assemblage of a large force at Brymee, on the termination
of the fast, for the purpose of either seizing upon the fort of Zeit, in the
vicinity of Ejman, or of covering the erection of a stronghold on a spot
where fresh water abounds, about seven miles inland, by means of
which he would be enabled to hold the maritime Shaikhs of the coast
more completely in check than was the case at present.
This design the whole of the Joasmee Chiefs, excepting Abdoolla bin
Rashid of Amulgavine, were determined to oppose. In the meanwhilp
Syud bin Mootluk, having failed in his in.rig.les to gain
the strong fort of Zemch, belonging to the Boo Kheriban branch of the
Naeem iiibe, one ol the most productive and flourishing spots in that
quarter, exhibited such evident intention of making himself master of
it, even by force, that Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali, having, through the
mediation of the Chief of the Beni Ghafir, effected a reconciliation
with those members of the A1 Boo Khamis branch with whom he had
been upon unfriendly terms, and been assured of their support in the
event ot actual hostilities, at once decided that he would defend his
possessions at all risks and hazards. The Shaikhs of Debaye and
Shargah, finding the hands of the Wahabee Agent thus effectually tied
for the present, have contented themselves with detaining two nlen
from each pearl boat, to guard against a surprise, and have permitted
the remainder to proceed to the banks.
Towards the close of the year, so strong was the party in league
against Syud bin Mootluk, so precarious did he feel his position to be,—
for reports had reached the Ameer that he was appropriating to himself
a considerable portion of the treasure he had collected,—that he medi
tated pioceeding in person to Nujd, to wait upon his master, and try to
dispel fiom his mind all credence in the evil reports so freely circulated
against him. A day had even been fixed for his departure from Brymee,
when the unexpected arrival of messengers with letters from the Ameer
confirming him in his position, but desiring him to send without
delay any icady money he might have in his possession"—led to the
sudden abandonment of the plan, and the despatch of a considerable
sum to Nujd, through the medium of Shaikh Suggur bin Sultan,
^ o, as well as his father. Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur, having been
avoured with flattering communications from the Ameer by the same