'An Account of the Arab Tribes in the Vicinity of Aden' [‎74v] (153/404)

136 ARAB TRIBES IN THE VICINITY OF ADEN.
subjects, who chose to remain at Mokalla, that it was at their
own risk. The Commander of the “ Philomel ” was requested
to require the Kaitf to remove any war vessels to Shehr, and
to inform both belligerents that Government would not tolerate
any operations by sea.
From the reports of the Commander of the “ Philomel ”
and Mr. Saleh Jdffer it appeared that Burum was in the hands
of the Kaitf, but that the Nakfb had no fear of Mokalla falling,
as 1,500 Kathfrfs were marching to his aid. Both parties
agreed to desist from operations by sea, and the merchants in
Mokalla showed no* signs of fear. The Nakfb, relying on
Kathfrf aid, was averse to a truce ; whereas the Kaitf, homing
to seduce the Kathfrfs, was ready for a three-months’ truce.
The Resident in reporti-ng the result of this mission recom
mended acceptance of the Nakfb’s request fora protectorate,
and the payment to him of a stipend of 500 dollars per
mensem.
While Government were considering their reply, the Nakfb
continued to write to the Resident that, if his request were
not acceded to, he must not be astonished should the Nakfb
hand over his territory to the Kathfrfs, Turks, or Zanzibar, or
a foreign power.
Towards the end of December 1880 the Kaitf sustained a
reverse at the hands of the Kathfrfs at Al-Tokhm, his
Commander-in-Chief and 70 soldiers being killed, and on the
27th December the Resident despatched Mr. Sdleh Jdffer to
aid the Commander of the “ Dagmar ” in enforcing abstention
of hostilities by sea, to advise the Nakfb to temporize with the
Kathfrfs until receipt of the reply of Government, to advise
the Nakfb with Kathfrf aid to oust the Kaitf from Burum, and
to permit British subjects to quit if so disposed.
On the 6th January 1881 the “ Dagmar ” returned with
2 Kaitf buggalows that had persisted in contravening the
orders as to hostilities by sea, and it became evident, from the
reports of the Commander and Mr. Sdleh Jdffer, that only
the presence of a man-of-war would ensure a cessation of
hostilities by sea. On the same date the Resident despatched
H. M. S. “ Seagull ” under Commander Byles to exercise an
armed supervision of the coast and prevent maritime operations,
to advise the Nakfb to wait for Government’s reply, and to
allow the Kaitf garrison of Burum facilities to evacuate the
place if necessary.