CIVIL HISTORY AND 



off Ras el Khyma, where the troops were landed 

 under cover of the boats and ships. This metro- 

 polis of the pirates stands in latitude 25 47' and 

 longitude 55 34', on a narrow tongue of sandy 

 land, with a safe harbour, extending about half a 

 mile in length and a quarter in breadth, having 

 several strong points of defence, with towers and 

 batteries. Their maritime force was considerable ; 

 and if concentrated might have amounted to at 

 least 100 vessels, with perhaps 400 pieces of can- 

 non, and about 8000 fighting-men, well armed with 

 muskets, swords, and spears. On the landing of 

 the English the inhabitants assembled in crowds to 

 repel the invaders ; but the regular volleys and 

 steady charge of the troops overcame every obstacle, 

 and multiplied the heaps of slain. A general con- 

 flagration was ordered, with unlimited permission 

 to plunder. The town was instantly set on fire in 

 all parts, and about sixty sail of boats and dows, in- 

 cluding the captured Minerva, were burnt and de- 

 stroyed. The complete conquest of the place was thus 

 effected with very trifling loss to the assailants. 



The expedition then proceeded to Linga, a small 

 port of the Joassamees, on the opposite side of the 

 Gulf, which was taken without resistance. Luft, 

 another of their harbours in the island of Kishma, 

 was attacked ; and, though severely galled with mus- 

 ketry, the British succeeded in getting possession of 

 the place. The town and fortress were delivered over 

 to the Imam of Muscat, as this was a settlement 

 which had been taken from him by the pirates. 

 Their next exploit was the recovery of Shenaz, a 

 fort that had also belonged to the same prince, near- 

 ly midway between Muscat and Cape Mussend 



