'Annals of 'Omān' [‎67] (84/112)

Boole Seventh.
67
to convey the fresh dates to el-Hazam, and with them he sent the people of
Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Bem-Ghafir and their belongings. He then set out with all his forces
for the settlements of the el-'Awamir in el-Sharkiyeh, He was met by the
el-'Awamir and the Al-Wahibeh 12 Bedouins and the Benu-Hinah, and a
fierce battle took place, in which Mohammed-bin Nasir's followers were
well nigh put to flight; but they rallied and stood firm, and eventually
the Benu-Hinah 13 were put to flight, and a great number of them was slain.
The pursuit was kept up until they entered the Hujreh of el-'Akil.
Mohammed-bin Nasir and his followers returned in triumph to Yabrin,
accompanied by the Seyyid Seyf-bin Sultan. Mohammed-bin Nasir then
returned to el-Dhahireh, to recruit his forces, and, being joined by a large
number, returned to Nezwa. He collected all the people of Nezwa, and
Izki and Bahla, also the Benu-Eiyam, and marched with them to Seikam.
Thence he sent to summon S a'id-bin Haweyd el-Hinawi, and the followers
who had joined him from el-'Akir snd el-Ghafat, and, on their refusal to
submit, besieged them. SaMd-bin Haweyd then passed out, and proceeded
through el-Dhahireh to Sohar, in order to raise men there and at Yankal,
for the people of the latter place had broken the truce. A large force joined
him, on which he returned to 'Amla and drew in his forces. He collected
many of the Benu-Hinah from Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. el-'Ula and all their villages. "When
he reached Felej el-'Aislu, he meditated an attack on Mohammed-bin Nasir
and his followers. Sa'id-bin Haweyd had been away collecting forces for
seven months and seven days, and Mohammed-bin Nasir, fearing he might
fall on him unawares, had distributed scouts throughout the districts, and
these brought him the intelligence of the advance of Sa'id with a large
force. Mohammed ordered his troops to intercept him ere he reached the
district, and they accordingly met the advancing foe at the entrance of el-
Ghafat. A great battle was fought, in which Sa'id-bin Haweyd el-Hinawi
was slain, and amongst those of his adherents who fell was Ghasn-el-'Alawi,
chief of Yankal. The total number of Sa'id's followers slain was two
hundred, the remainder dispersed. Mohammed-bin Nasir ordered recitations
to be pronounced in every district of Bahla and Nezwa, and the towns of
el-Dhahireh to celebrate his victory.
His followers dragged the corpse of Sa'id-bin Haweyd to the Fort of
el-Ghafat, in which were his family, children, and followers, expecting that
on beholding the sight, they would surrender; but they refused to do so.
The siege was therefore continued for two months longer, when the gani-
son, having eaten all their cattle, ran short of provisions. At this time
Mubarik-bin Sa'id-bin Bedr commanded the forces of Mohammed-bin Nasir,
who after the battle had returned to Yabrin. So, when their provisions
were exhausted, and many had been slain, and their property destroyed,
the garrison were granted terms on condition of their demolishing the ioit.