177 
1874.] E. C. Ross —Annals of ‘Oman—Book VII. 
This they did with their own hands, on which they were suffered to depart 
in safety. 
The Fort of el-‘Akir continued, however, to hold out. 
Mohammed-bin Nasir then dismissed Mubarik-bin Sa‘id-bin Bedr, and 
appointed in his place Rashid-bin Sa‘id Rashid el-Ghafiri, who continued 
the siege of el-‘Akir. He had under his orders the men of Bahia, Nezwa, 
Izki, and el-Dhahireh, and also the Benu-Ghafir, and Benu-Riyam. They 
so closely invested the place, that not a soul could enter or leave it. When 
the provisions were exhausted, the garrison sued for peace, which was grant¬ 
ed, the terms being the demolition of their Fort. They were accordingly 
obliged to demolish the walls, after losing all they possessed. There 
remained to them neither date trees nor water-courses, and they had con¬ 
sumed the whole of their cattle. So under these conditions they were 
granted peace and safety of their persons. After which the troops returned, 
each man to his native place. 
Mohammed-bin Nasir next prepared another force of “ Bedii” and 
“ Hadin',” and marched on the towns of the el-Habus of el-Sharkiyeh, 
namely, Madheybi, and el-Rowdheh. At the former town, they encountered 
the army of Khalf-bin Mubarik el-Kasir, consisting of the el-Habus and 
others of the Benu-Hinah. In the battle which ensued, Khalf-bin Mubarik 
was defeated and forced to take refuge in the “ Hujreli” of el-Madheybi. 
Mohammed-bin Nasir besieged them, and began to cut down the date trees, 
on which they sued for peace and quarter. Mohammed acceded, not know¬ 
ing that Khalf-bin Mubarik was with them in the Hujreh.” Afterwards a 
certain person came and informed him that Ivlialf was in the place, but it 
did not seem good to him to break the terms of peace. Khalf then fled 
from el-Madheybi, and Mohammed-bin Nasir pursued him with his army 
until he reached Ibra, which place Khalf entered, not imagining that Mo¬ 
hammed-bin Nasir would pursue him so far. He abode with the el-Harth, 14 
to whom Mohammed sent summoning them to submit themselves to him, 
and to eject Khalf from amongst them. On their refusing to do so, he 
made daily attacks on them, cutting down their date and other trees, and 
destroying their water-courses. Finding themselves powerless to cope with 
Mohammed-bin Nasir, they secretly sent away Khalf from amongst them. 
The latter who was head of the whole of the Benu-Hinah, proceeded to 
Maskat. After his departure, Mohammed-bin Nasir made peace with the el- 
Harth, granting them an amnesty, and retiring from the place. The whole 
of el-Sharkiyeh submitted to him. He then returned to \ r abrin, and tarried 
a space at that place, which was his favourite residence. 
He next went to el-Dhahireh and collected a numerous force there, with 
which he marched westwards, not one of his followers knowing whither he 
purposed to proceed. Passing through the districts of el-Naflm, 15 he col- 
