Page 168 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

158 Records of Bahrain

122 PEARL FISHERY.

is immediately let go, and he sinks to the
bottom. After collecting as many as are within
his reach, he jerks the line, and is drawn at
once to the surface. Forty seconds is the
average, and one minute and thirty-five seconds
the ultimatum which they can remain below.
They now cling for a few minutes to ropes sus­
pended for that purpose over the sides of the
vessel, and renew their exertions until tired,
when they exchange places with those in the
boat, and so on alternately, until their cargo
is completed. Unopened the oysters are
valued at two dollars the hundred; say upon
an average they bring five to the surface, that
would be at the rate of about a penny for each
descent. Little enough for such a laborious
and unhealthy employment did they obtain the
whole, but they are fortunate if, after the rapa­
cious demands of their masters are satisfied,
they get a third. No one receives any definite
wages, but are paid in certain shares, de­
pendent on their skill as divers, or other
causes. Sharks they appear to hold in little
dread ; but the saw-fish was much feared, and
instances were related to me of men who had
been completely cut in two by these monsters.
To protect themselves from the blubber which
floats about in some places, and if it comes in