'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.' [‎340] (501/612)

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night as an enemy, and deal with him accordingly, giving
no quarter." When a part of the night had passed away,
shots were heard and loud shouts from the quarter of the
Benu-Hdsan, who attempted to surprise the English, while
the latter kept up a sharp fire, fearing an onset from
Muhammad-bin-'Aly, and as a precaution against Arab
treachery. Thereupon many of the Seyyid Said's people
fled, and none remained near his tent but Muhamraad-bin-
Nasir, el-Jabry, and his followers. Nasr-bin-Said-bin-el-
Imam and his men also went away without the Seyyid Said's
knowledge.
Towards daylight it was reported to the Seyyid that Na-
sir and his men had fled during the night. Then he, per
ceiving that the edge of the courage of the English had
been blunted, and that their numbers had been greatly re
duced, ordered a retreat, and he and the English accord
ingly returned to Maskat by way of el- 'Akk. 1 At el-Bediy-
1 The following is the official account of this unfortunate expedition :
" On the 8th of November, 1820, the combined forces arrived within
three miles of Balad Beni Boo Ali, the residence of the hostile tribe,
and a demand was forthwith made for the surrender of their fortifica
tions and arms, together with the persons who had murdered the mes
senger at A1 Ushkara...]n answer to this summons, the Beni Boo Ali
stilted that they were ready to comply with the conditions proposed,
except the one stipulating for the surrender of their arms. This modi
fication, however, was not acceded to, and the heavy guns and stores
being left in the entrenched camp, the combined forces, consisting of
four guns, three hundred and eighty sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. , and two thousand men be
longing to the Imaum [the Seyyid Sa'id] moved the next morning
towards the enemy's town....On arriving within sight of the town, the
light infantry of the 1st battalion, 2nd regiment, which had headed the
column in extended order, opened fire and began to fall back, and soon
after the enemy appeared in motion on the top of some elevated ground,
with the apparent design of turning the right flank. The officer com
manding immediately ordered the troops to form column of sections to
the right, so as to present a new front, parallel to the enemy's attack,
and to charge bayonets Some hesitation on the part of the sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. is
asserted to have been displayed at this moment in obeying this last
order, and, as the only course left, they were directed to fire, which
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