'History of the imâms and seyyids of 'Omân by Salîl-ibn-Razîk, from A.D. 661-1856; translated from the original Arabic, and edited with notes, appendices, and an introduction, continuing the history down to 1870, by George Percy Badger, F.R.G.S., late chaplain in the Presidency of Bombay.' [‎34] (67/612)

XXXIV
INTRODUCTION
Provisions failing the besiegers, Muhammad-bin-Nasir
returned with them to er-Rastak, where he was attacked
with small-pox. On his recovery he proceeded to ezh-
Zhahirah, taking Seif-bin-Sultan, the young Imam, and his
suite of the el-Yaurubah with him, and leaving Belarab-bin-
Nasir, the late regent, bound there. A successful compaign
against the tribes and forts opposed to him in that district
enabled him to dismiss many of his auxiliaries.
While Muhammad-bin-Nasir was absent on the above
expedition, Khalf-bin-Mubarak, el-Hinay, "the Short," col
lected an army and attacked er-Rastak, which he captured,
receiving the submission of the inhabitants. He then went
to Nakhl, which was surrendered to him; and in the mean
time one of his staunch allies seized Sohar. These achieve
ments on the part of his rival made Muhammad anxious to
reach er-Rastak, but he deemed it prudent to secure the
fort of Yabrm 1 on the way thither, and while he was be
sieging that stronghold Khalf invested el-Hazm. Having
recalled some of his auxiliaries Muhammad fell upon the
investing force and dispersed them, but not feeling strong
enough to attack er-Rastak he visited ezh-Zhahirah again,
where several of the towns had rebelled against his autho
rity. Having settled matters there he returned to Nezwa
and spent six months in recruiting his army; after which
he made repeated inroads into the districts of the Benu-
Hinah, who on their part had called in the assistance of
their allies from all quarters. Muhammad, however, proved
too strong for them, and he succeeded eventually in driving
Khalf as far south as Ibra, where he was welcomed at first
by the el-Harth, but the invaders proceeding to cut down
their date-trees,— one of the common usages of war among
1 The late Colonel Taylor refers to Muhammad-bin-Nasir under the
name of " Mahomet-Ghafari, Prince of Jabrin." Niebuhr and Wellsted
■write the name " Gabrin." Wellsted appears to have visited the place,
as it is marked on the line of his route, about thirty miles to the south
east of Nezwa, but he omits all mention of it in his narrative.