354 CIVIL HISTORY AND 



returned to India. But the sequel proved that their 

 task was far from being completed. In a few years 

 the piracies were renewed, accompanied with the 

 usual atrocities, and extended as far as the en- 

 trance of the Red Sea. 



A second expedition was fitted out, which sailed 

 from Bombay in November, 1819. Ras el Khyma 

 and the fort of Zyah were again reduced — the Arabs 

 during these operations displaying a courage and per- 

 tinacity that excited the astonishment of the troops 

 opposed to them. To bind them more strictly, and 

 to try the effect of moral influence, a treaty was con- 

 cluded, which guarantied the cessation of plunder 

 and piracy by sea and land. Matters being so far 

 adjusted, the squadron returned to Bombay, leaving 

 a force of 1200 native troops and artillery at Ras el 

 Khyma, the occupation of which was merely in- 

 tended as a temporary measure. The services of 

 this detachment were soon rendered necessary 

 against a tribe of Arabs called the Beni bu Ali, oc- 

 casioned chiefly by the complaints of the Imam of 

 Muscat. The settlement of this fierce tribe lay near 

 Cape Ras el Hud; but the first attempt of the Brit- 

 ish, who were commanded by Captain Thomson, 

 entirely failed. By a sudden and overwhelming 

 attack of the natives the detachment was totally 

 destroyed. Out of three hundred and eleven that 

 went into action, seven officers and 249 men were 

 murdered on the spot. Scarcely a wounded man 

 escaped, as the khunjer, or dagger, finished what 

 the sword began. 



This disaster, however, was speedily repaired by 

 a third expedition fitted out at Bombay next year, 

 and which succeeded in getting possession of the 

 town of Bu Ali ; the works were blown up, and such 

 of the guns and heavy stores as could not be carried 

 off were destroyed. The inhabitants defended their 

 fortress with a bravery approaching to phrensy, 

 which an eyewitness compared to that of the Scotch 



