'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎226] (268/733)

226
MUSKAT.
teen in number, embarked with the Nakhoda in the long boat, having
previously set fire to the Buggalow Large trading vessel. , and collected the treasure in date
jars. Six of the men, notwithstanding that they had taken the oath
required of them, fell victims to the Nakhoda's suspicions, and were
cruelly slaughtered ; two others, fearful for their lives, let themselves
down into the sea close to Shinas, and swam ashore, whence they
proceeded to Lingah, and back to Muttra, their native city.
Scarcely had they reached the latter place, before they were seiz
ed and conveyed to Muskat, as accomplices of Ahmed bin Dad
Kureem's.
For a length of time they denied all knowledge of the matter, and
assured both His Excellency Syud Soweynee and the British Agent
that, so soon as the vessel caught fire, they threw themselves into the
sea, to save their lives ; that they knew nothing further. Guilt, however,
attached itself too strongly to these individuals to permit of their story
being credited. Recourse was had to intimidation, and preparations
were & even made for inflicting torture upon them; when, on being
promised full pardon and liberty, they turned informers, and related all
that had occurred.
In March 1847, after endless search and trouble, Ahmed bin Dad
Kureem was likewise apprehended, and conveyed to Muskat, where,
on being examined, and told that there was evidence forthcoming to
convict him of his dastardly act, he at once confessed his guilt, and
threw himself upon the mercy of his accusers. The matter of Ins trial
was referred to the Bombay Government, who desired he might be tried
before the Native court in Muskat, and suffer such punishment as the
judicial authorities in that town might think fit to award.
His Excellency Syud Soweynee, strange to say, did not so much
as consult the court of justice regarding the punishment to be in
flicted, nor did he cause any form of trial whatsoever to be undergone
by the prisoner, but simply and plainly pronounced sentence o
death upon him. His execution took place on the 5th day of Octo
ber 1848, in the presence of the whole concourse of the Muskat
P We now come to the Treaty for the suppression of the Slave Trade.
This engagement was one entered into by the
a. d . 1849. Chief of Sohar with the British Government, to-
wards the latter end of the spring of 1849. The reins of the Sohar
Government were at the time held hy Syud Hnmood bin Azan s son,
Syud Syf bin Humood, and not by himself, he having been compel e
tp resign his authority into the hands of the former some considera e
time previous, It is needless entering into detail on this subjt J