'Annals of 'Omān' [‎64] (81/112)

G4
Annals of '■Oman.
Likewise Mohammed-bin 'Adi-bin Suleiman el-Thabali, with the men he had
brought from el-Sir. Also Mohammed-bin Nasir el-Harrasi with his clan.
All these proceeded, each in command of his own division, until they reached
Mesna'a. There a letter arrived from the Benu-Hinah, addressed by Kar 'a
el-Darmald to Rahmeh-el-Hawali saying; " Do not come further against us,
as we are coming to meet you," in the sense of a threat. When Rahmeh
read the letter, he understood its meaning, and at once ordered an advance
on Barka, sending scouts ahead to that place. The latter finding Kar 'a
and his followers advancing against Rahmeh, returned with the intelligence.
Rahmeh encountered them at a place called el-Kasim. Kodheyb el-Hawali
charged the enemy on horseback, followed closely by the remainder of the
force. Ten of the enemy were killed, and Kar'a and his followers were routed.
Kodheyb received a slight wound. Rahmeh then moved his men eastward,
and halted at el-Hifri, 10 which belongs to the el-Jibur, to allow his men rest
and refreshment. Thence he sent out his scouts, who reported that Khalf-
bin Mubarik el-Kasir had moved by land and sea with an innumerable
force. Those on the side of Mohammed-bin Nasir amounted to 5000 men,
"Bedu" and"Hadhr" of various tribes. The rival armies encountered to
the west of Barka, and a severe contest ensued. Rahmeh's men had cannon,
with which they fired on the vessels which were on the sea, and forced them
to stand further out. The battle ended in the defeat of Khalf-bin Mubarik,
who mounted a camel and fied. His forces were broken and pursued by
those of Mohammed-bin Nasir, who slew and captured many, until finding
no refuge from slaughter many plunged into the sea, and endeavoured to
gain the ships. These, however, had put to sea, and they failed to reach
them. The victors meanwhile kept up a fire on them until all perished.
The bodies were then stripped of arms and all else on them. When the
dead bodies were thrown up by the sea, they found the number of killed
amounted to 1012 men. The remainder of the fugitives were pursued until
they entered the Fort of Barka. The adherents of Mohammed-bin Nasir
then encamped by the side of the hill at Barka, and laid siege to the Fort.
Four days afterwards, the garrison embarked in the ships, and went to
Maskat, leaving only a few men in the Fort, the town being empty. The
army of Mohammed-bin Nasir then returned to el-Rostak, and Rahmeh
returned to his own country.
Mohammed-bin Nasir remained a time in el-Rostak, where he had so
severe an attack of small-pox, that fears were entertained for his life. When
he recovered, he ordered an expedition to proceed to Yankal. He placed in
el-Rostak as Wall Mohammed-bin Nasir el-Harrasi, and with him in the
Fort he left the Bahla chiefs and Sinan-bin Mohammed-bin Sinan el-
Mahthur el-Grhafiri.
Mohammed-bin Nasir and Seyf-bin Sultan then marched carrying