, 1911-02-04

the waters Of the Gulf. And there it looked
as if | must be marooned, for further pro-
gress was impossible. While / talked to the
Arabs in the hope of finding a way out of
my difficulties my rescuer appeared. A boat
put off from IN Arab dhow that lay in the
shadows, and [ was invited to embark for
Bushire.
Bushire is not an earthly Paradise, though
it seemed to me on that day to hold all the
attractions of the world. Its miserable novels
and squalid bazaar contained at least the
promise of comforts that had long been de-
MED. A few miles across u sandy plain was
the kesidency, in which Major Cox lives, and
from which he exercises the prerogatives OF
the British and Indian Governments over
the Persian Gulf and the chiefs of the Pi-
rate Coast. He has also a summer residence
at Shiraz, one of the romantic cities Of Per
STA, bat it is usually occupied by the British
Consul, as the journey to Shiraz is loa8 and
tedious, and Major Cox cannot often be
spared from the Gulf.
What is the Resident in the Persian Gulf,
and what is he doing in Persian territory ?
you ask. The Resident is a poIit ctI officer
under the Indian Government, and the rea-
son for his presence in Persia is his. For
centuries the Persian Gulf was the haunt OF
pirates, and became known as the Pirate
Coast. From the shores of Arabia came
hordes Of Arab rovers, who pat to sea in
their dhoWs and fell upon the holplrs7 mer-
chpntman making for the SINt-oI- Arab, the
waterway to Southern Persia and Mesopo-
tamia, or upon the pearl fisher returning from
his hazardous yet profitable search in the
bed of lie sea. The Salli royers Of Morocco,
who terrorised Europe for generations, were
not more daring and diabO!ical in their
methods than these rufians of the Pirate
Coast. AS they were q constant danger to
India, the British Government took them in
hand, and for many years wagod a relentless
war with the pirates. Peace was established
at last. The chiefs were coerced into sub
mission, and their good conduct was guaran-
teed by grants of money and by the support
of the Indian Government when they were
in trouble with their neighbours or with their
own tribesmen.I In order to enforce those con
ditiOns a Resident was appointed, and as
Bushire, at the head of the Gulf, is the most
convenient %salIyport, il was taken as the seat
OF his government.
This is why Major Cox is in Bushireg and
why he has gone to Dibai in order to discov-
OF who is responsible for the attack on the
landing party Of the cruiser Hyacinth. And
q more efficient envoy could not have been
found than his Observation-Disclosures, who
uhltes the SuppleneSS OF the East with the
yigour and courage and determination OF the
West. He knows how to punish and to re-
ward, and he speaks the language and is
familiar with the mind Of the native. Many
are the little wars he has saved us by the
speed with which he descends upon n FESTIVE =,
chief and by the confidence he inspires in
his justice and his power to punish the evil
doer.
x x x
The stories told Of Major Cox would make
All exciting romance. Not long ago an Arab
chief had u quarrel with one of his noigh,
bours, He dared not attack openly, for he
knew that Major Cox sits in Whispering
gallory at Bushire and would sweep down
upon him like a hawk. SO the chief, being
an Arab and therefore ingenious, hit upon a
plan that would not excite suspicion until
he had wrought his vengeance. Among his
papers he discovered ii letter from the Resi-
don't inviting him to u certain place on the
coast for a friendly talk. 1t was a very cd
letter, but the alteration of a date and a
mme made it serve the purpose of the willy
chieftain The invitation was despatched by
camel to his enemy, who, believing that he
,oc Lo;nu bnnOural nv q visit from, tho Ra-