'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.' [‎36] (69/612)

xxxvi
introduction
of being a match for him in open fight, Khalf resorted to
a stratagem, as crafty as it proved successful. Rightly
gauging the temper of Muhammad's allies and the necessity
imposed upon the new Imam of administering justice with
the strictest impartiality, he bribed a Persian agriculturist
at Sohar to bring a charge of trespassing on his fields
against two men of each of the three principal northern
tribes, the Benu-Yas, the Benu-Naim, and the Benu-Kutb.
Muhammad listened to the complaint in person, and offered
to indemnify the plaintiff; but the latter, acting on KhalPs
su oo es ^o n ,> refused the award, and loudly demanded "jus
tice." Thereupon the chiefs of the alleged culprits came
forward and solemnly asserted the innocence of the accused;
but in spite of their intervention the men were ordered to
be bastinadoed, an indignity which the northern tribes re
sented by quitting the camp the same night and returning
homeward, leaving Muhammad with his 'Omany levies only
to encounter Khalf, who shortly after appeared in the field
against him. In the engagement which followed Khalf
was slain and his adherents routed. Pursuing his advantage
Muhammad made for the castle, where a detachment of the
garrison was drawn up to oppose his entrance. During the
struggle which ensued he was shot dead by a musket-ball
fired from the walls of the fortress.
I or the space of three days the fate of their respective
leaders was kept secret from their antagonists by both
parties ; but when it could no longer be concealed Mu
hammad's levies returned home, and the garrison at Sohar
forthwith recognized Seif-bin-Sultan—who, it will be re
membered, was always made to accompany Muhammad-bin-
Nasir, and admitted him into the castle. From thence he
pi oceeded to er-Kastak, where the people tendered him their
allegiance, and then to Nezwa, where the Kadhi set him
up once more as Imam,—he being now of full age, a.d
1728.