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MOCHA. 
defend him. Even his brother-in-law, Mozeife, had so little con- 
fidence in him, that, on being sent on a mission to Daraie, he 
quitted his own party, and became a Wahabee. Abduluziz, con- 
ceiving this a good opportunity to attack the holy cities, early in 
January 1803, intrusted Mozeife with the command of twelve 
thousand men, who fought several battles with his brother-in-law, 
and constantly defeated him. In February of the same year he laid 
siege to Tayif. 
Galib, who had here his finest palaces and most flourishing 
gardens, hastened to its relief, and defended it for several days, till 
his nephew Abdullah secretly retired in the night to Mecca, when, 
conscious of the detestation in which he was held by his subjects, 
and dreading lest they should place Abdullah in his stead, he 
abandoned Tayif, having set his palaces on fire. Mozeife imme- 
diately entered, and his followers commenced their usual devasta- 
tions. Eight hundred males were put to the sword, but the harems 
were respected. Many houses were burned, and the whole were 
plundered ; but the treasure of the Sheriffe had been conveyed to 
Mecca with his wives and followers. All the holy tombs were 
destroyed, and among them that of Abdullah Ebn Abbas, the uncle 
of the Prophet, an edifice celebrated throughout Arabia for its pre- 
eminent beauty and sanctity. The grave itself, and the stone 
which covered it, were not disturbed. Mozeife, as a reward for 
his treachery, was appointed Governor. Abduluziz had no inten- 
tion that Mecca, Medina, and their sea ports of Jidda and Yambo, 
should be held by any descendant of the Prophet as a viceroy 
under him; he therefore sent his eldest son Suud to command the 
victorious army at Tayif, which marched so unexpectedly against 
