COMPENSATION. 281 



gency on one side, whilst the Kafilah people formed 

 another semi-circular line opposite. It was evident, 

 however, that both the Hy Sonmanlee and the 

 Tajourah people were afraid of the consequences 

 that might arise from any of the Wahama nego- 

 tiators being killed ; and at length, after a message 

 from Ohmed Mahomed, in which he promised a 

 tobe to the Chief of the Hy Soumaulee, and some 

 blue sood to his men, several of them laid aside 

 their arms, and with their twisted tobes managed, 

 by main force, to drag asunder the contending 

 parties, and in this manner restored peace. 



Settling this affair was a very serious business. 

 Two of the Wahamas were severely wounded, 

 Himyah had got the muscles of the upper arm 

 transfixed by a spear, and numbers of others had 

 received sundry cuts, stabs, and scratches. Then 

 there were broken spears, lost knives, torn tobes, 

 and injured shields, for all of which compensation 

 was claimed. 



I was desired to go to the assistance of the 

 Wahama by some of their friends, but both Ohmed 

 Medina and Ohmed Mahomed insisted on my not 

 moving until the peace assembly had been con- 

 vened. Some design was evidently intended against 

 my person by the determined " Cutta " with which 

 Moosa and Adam Burrah sent away the friends of 

 the wounded men, and who would not have done 

 so had they not suspected something unfair. 

 Heaven only knows what those intentions were; 



