126 
MOCHA. 
is that of a soldier, an army of Bedowee may soon be raised by 
the assistance of money. 
With the above force the SherifFe again moved forward, and in 
a battle which lasted a whole day, completely beat the army of 
Abu Nookta, who, together with several of his principal officers, 
fell in the engagement. 
This victory for a time gave security to Yemen, though its effects 
have been ultimately attended with throwing a larger share of 
power into the hands of SherifFe Hamood, than perhaps ought ever 
to be entrusted to a subject. This chieftain is a native of Aboo 
Arish, the eldest of sixteen brothers, most of whom are now 
living, having each from six to eight children. Many of these hold 
very distinguished commands throughout the provinces, and one 
of them is supposed to be destined by the government for the office 
of Dola of Mocha. Such extensive connections in a country where 
the ties of kindred are still held almost as sacred as in the patri- 
archal ages, render this chieftain very powerful, and give him an 
almost unlimited sway over the affairs of the country. 
This sudden and important change of rulers was not how ever 
acknowledged at Mocha. Sultaun Hassan, a slave of the late vizier, 
had for an unusual length of time been Dola of this place, and 
for some years back had not only been very remiss in his returns 
of revenue to Sana, but, as was evident from his strengthening 
the fortifications, and building a new castellated house at the 
expense of forty thousand dollars, had entertained intentions of 
postponing the period of his return, and, if possible, of rendering 
himself independent. With such views, the deposition of his 
patron and the accession of a more vigorous administration, 
