162 
E. C. Ross —Annals of ‘ Oman—Book VI. 
[No. 2, 
The Imam next despatched a force against Sur, which besieged and 
took that place. A portion of the force went to Kerlyat, where the Chris¬ 
tians possessed a Fort. The Musalmans erected a fort there and took 
that of the Christians. Thus the Imam acquired possession of the whole 
kingdom of ‘Oman excepting Sohar and Maskat. 
Meanwhile Nasir-bin Katan continued to make raids into ‘Oman every 
year from el-Ahsa, 1G carrying off cattle and pillaging the country and re¬ 
turning to el-Alisa. The Imam therefore wrote to his Wall, Mohammed- 
bin Seyf el-Howkanl, directing him to obtain information of Nasir’s move¬ 
ments, and as soon as he heard of his approach, to intercept him with an army 
beyond the frontier of‘Oman. The Wall accordingly collected a force of 
“ Bedu” and “ Hadhr,” and when he heard of Nasir’s approach advanced 
to meet him. Nasir hearing of the Imam’s army made for el-Dhafreh and 
entered its fort, the Benu-Yas assisting him. . Thence he sent messengers 
to the Wall to sue for peace. The Wall being in straits for provisions, and 
distant from his supplies, agreed to make peace on condition of Nasir re¬ 
storing all plundered property in his possession and paying compensation 
for what had been continued, after which the Wall retired with his fol¬ 
lowers. Nasir, however, collected the Bedouins of el-Dhafreh and proceeded 
to attack the fort of el-Jow, of which Alimed-bin Khalf was Wall. Nasir 
being joined by all the inhabitants, who aided him against the Wall, laid 
siege to the fort; but the Walls of el-Batineh and el-Dhahireh, hearing of 
this, sent succours to Alimed-bin Khalf, and the enemy’s forces retired from 
the district. The chief Wall then came with an army from Nezwa, and 
ordered the demolition of all the Forts of el-Jow, except that of the Imam, 
and the enemies were dispersed. ‘Omeyr-bin Mohammed fled to the Chris¬ 
tians at Soliar, and others made for the hill pass of Julfar, where they took 
to highway robbery and pillaging the districts. The Walls proceeded 
against them, and some were killed and others fled. The Wall having seiz¬ 
ed their camels returned to ‘Oman. Nasir-bin Katan then led his followers to 
el-Batineh, and made raids on the camels of the Benu-Khalid and Benu- 
Lam. 17 They also plundered the women of their ornaments and clothes, 
after which they retired to el-Alisa. Soon after, he again invaded ‘Oman, 
and advanced towards el-Batineh, in order to pillage that district. The 
Imam, however, assembled an army to repel him, and placed in command 
‘All-bin Ahmed, supported by Mohammed-bin Salt el-Rlyaml, ‘All-bin Mo- 
hammed-el-Tbrl, and Ahmed-bin Belhasan el-Busherl. They proceeded to 
the town of Lawa, where they encountered Nasir-bin Katan and his force. 
An engagement occurred, in which Nasir was worsted, and fled to Majls, 
pursued by the Wall and his followers. Nasir then made for el-Shemal, 
and the Wall rode in pursuit. The first to come up with Nasir were 
Ahmed-bin Belhasan, and Murad and Rashid-bin Hisam, and a few of the 
