Page 288 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

614 Records of Bahrain

30 ADMINISTRATION RETORT 0Y T1IH PERSIAN OULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY

IToro. truly be is in good circumstances, regaled on tho famed
Aral) sweetmeats of Muscat, bo makes hay " whilst tho sun shines/9
and^robs his dependents most amicably.
ThiV.hc’docs, firstly, in the matter of the advances, and afterwards
in the manner of valuing and paying for the outcome of the lalwur
of the crews, and if he docs indeed sometimes fall upon an evil d*y,
when the village he may chance to inhabit is sacked by the Bedouin,
ho claims damages and invariably, ultimately, receives them though
his soul may bo harrowed by the dilatory action of the Arab whose
objections to disgorge his prey arc strongly rooted. The u Musaygum99
is however nevertheless a necessity at present, for the reckless Arabs
spend what they can get, and thou look to him to keep them supplied
with food and raiment for the rest of the year. They keep no accounts,
neither give nor take bonds or agreements; and the entries in the
Buuncahs9 books (if any dispute arises) are taken as evidence of the
correctness of each item of supply, or other transaction. When I
say " taken as evidence, I mean it to the fullest extent; as in disputed
eases the Chief orders n Marine Court to assemble to try the case.
This Court may consist of one or more old men, well versed in the
trade, who go by the name of " Salifeb-ul-gbous". This is not a
permanent appointment, the Court being convened when required and
the Salifoh nominated by the Chief. To resume—the Bunucan supplies
the Nakhoda or headmen of the boat with every necessary of clothes,
food, tobacco, See., required for his trip, a list of which of course goes
down in his ledger at his own valuation.
On return from the fisheries the Nakhoda makes over his whole
packet of pearls to be valued in the gross, and on this being completed,
the Bunneah takes over tho lot at 20 per cent below the appraisement.
Every merchant knows the market value of pearls for the year,
60 that this transaction is easily effected.
Now however the " Musaygum” has to pay the 80 per cent, of
the value of the pearls, hut he is constitutionally averse to parting with
more cash than can bo dcceutly avoided. lie therefore totals up the
account of the advances aud deducts this amount; further ho supplies
as much of the balance as he can, in goods and stores, which the
Nakhoda has to take. On this the computed gain is from 20 to 35
per cent.
What the crew will not take off his hands, is sold by the Nakhoda
for what it will fetch in the bazaar; and this is added to the small
sum of ready money which has been paid by the Musaygum. The
whole is then divided according to the recognized share of each member
of the crew.

A further protection enjoyed by the Musaygum against the chanoe
of losing by a run of bad luck in the fishery should be noticed.
He is free to dissolve bis connection with the Nakhoda be
employe,and supplies, whenever ho finds it convenient. By this system,
! o r, , i 18 onaUo t0 801110 1,18 «<*ount, they go before the
balifch-ul.ghous,” aiul a decree is given by which the Nakhoda has