The _Nereide_ sailed with the dispatches on the morning; and before daylight was out of sight. The passage between _Bombay_ and _Bushire_, which had been made in thirty-four days, was now retraced in twelve. CHAP. II. HISTORY OF THE SHEIK OF BUSHIRE. HISTORY OF BUSHIRE--SHEIK NASR--THE NASAKCHEE BASHEE, THE CHIEF EXECUTIONER DISPATCHED FROM SHIRAZ AGAINST THE SHEIK ABDULLAH RESOUL; VISITS THE ENVOY: VISIT RETURNED--DIFFICULTIES OF THE SHEIK--HIS SEIZURE--CONSTERNATION OF THE TOWN--PRECAUTIONS OF THE ENVOY--EXPLANATION OF THE NASAKCHEE BASHEE--SUCCESSOR OF THE SHEIK, MAHOMED NEBEE KHAN--ASSUMPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT BY THE NASAKCHEE BASHEE--MAHOMMED JAFFER APPOINTED PROVISIONALLY; DISGRACED; RESTORED--RECEIVES A KALAAT--CEREMONY--FATE OF THE LATE SHEIK OF BUSHIRE. The history of the _Sheik_ of _Bushire_, who had received us on our landing, added the principal interest to our subsequent residence in his country. Our stay was marked by the subversion of his power and of the Arab rule; and the journal of every day naturally contained ample accounts of the progress of an event, which was locally so prominent and important. The travellers of the last century, who mentioned his predecessors, may possibly direct some little curiosity to the fortunes of their descendant; but without any previous interest in the persons, the tale of the present day may excite attention as a practical illustration of the principles of an eastern government. The coast of the gulph was lined for ages with the petty sovereignties of Arab _Sheiks_,[12] who, while they occupied the shores of Persia, yielded a very uncertain obedience to the monarch of the interior. The degrees indeed of service paid were probably at all times measured more by the character and relative force of the different parties, than by any original stipulations. NADIR and KERIM KHAN in vain endeavoured to reduce these Arab chiefs to more complete obedience: but in many districts their authority was scarcely acknowledged, and except in partial remissions, still more seldom felt. Among these chiefs, _Sheik_ NASR, of _Bushire_, long retained a real independance. The _Dashtistan_, the low country under the hills, was his province; and in all the turbulence of his age, this territory and more immediately the country round _Bushire_, was still the place of security. In one instance indeed, memorable in the latter history of Persia,[13] the resources of _Bushire_ supported the sinking fortunes of the last dynasty. LOOTF ALI KHAN, after the murder of his father JAFFIER KHAN, king of Persia, fled for refuge to SHEIK NASR. The _Sheik_, in memory of his ancient attachment to JAFFIER KHAN, received the prince with the warmest hospitality, and gathering the Arab tribes under his controul, resolved to lead them in the cause which was thus trusted to his honour. The prince in the mean time prepared, by letters, his friends at _Shiraz_ to second their operations; and the measures