Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-08-19

of this rock, for many vessels have been
wrecked upon it. But he found to his as
constituent, that there was bank of six or
seven fathoms on one side. The existence
of this bank had never before been known,
and Judging from the depth that there might
be good pearls on it, he dived five or six
times. He brought up but IL oysters, for
though they were very numerous, yet, the
water being deep, and having no assistance,
he could not obtain more. But these oys-
tiers were very large, and in them we're three
pearls, either of them worth ten tomauns of
Bosrah. Look, here is one, and unwind
ing the sash which confined at the waist
his ample trowsers, the merchant drew from
its folds pearl whose value the experien-
ced Johasmee saw had not been overrated.
1t is pearl of eight coats, said he
True, Khalil, thou understandest the
business, as Johasmee should do replied
the merchant. When Che diver found
these, he was, as thou mu think, overjoy-
ed. As soon as the wind served he made
his way back to Karak, and thence to Bush
ire. He came to Zemin Khan, who, thou
knowest, was once great man in Bushire,
but is now poor merchant, and informed
him of his discovery. Zemin Khan was
not rich enough to send out boat with d
vers of his own, and, besides, he feared that
the Sheikh of Bushre might seize the pearls
as coming from Karak, which, thou know
est, he claims as his property. So he came
to me, who was then at Bushre, and pro-
posed that, as had shop at Muscat, |
should proceed thither with Haroun the d-
yer, and that we should hire a boat with
our joint stock, and divide the profits. SO
one month ago l came hither for that pur-
pose, but poor Haroun was smtten by the
angel of death in our voyage here, and died
on board the bugalah. However, as knew
the way to the rock by his direction, and
also by chart did not renounce my pro-
ject but sold my shop and all my merchan-
disc for twelve hundred dollars, and bought
two slaves, and also boat, of the people
of Oman. Alas! they are gone before we
entered the harbor of this accursed Muscat,
aud one half my money has gone with them.
But if thou wilt lend thy boat, and go with
ME in this adventure, have enough left to
hire divers, and also for equipment and pro-
visions. We will divide the profits into
three equal parts, one for thee, one for me,
aud one for Zemin Khan. What sayst thou
Is it not good offer ?
In truth, Khalil could not deny that the
enterprise bore Il promising appearance, and
that he was admitted on very advantageous
terms. That, however, which chiefly inhu-
enced him to accept the merchants offer
was his earnest desire to get away from the
town of Muscat, where, inclosed by walls
and armed fortresses, and jostled in the mar
row, dirty streets by soldiers, public officers,
townspeople, and traders from every cline,
the free-born Bedowee pined in spirit and
chafed against his confinement like a wild
sea-bird in an aviary. After few moments
thought, he acceded to the Rr~pasal of his
new friend and they proceeded together to-
wards the town, settling, as they went, the
details of their enterprise.
Muscat, it is well known, is a seaport on
the EASTERN coast of Arabia, near the en-
trance of the Persian Gulf Its excellent
harbor, and it's advantageous position, have
made it great emporium of Oriental COM
MERGE; and the intelligent and energetic
prince, who, with the title Of Imaum, now
possesses the government of it, has availed
himself of these advantages to the fullest
extent. While encouraging commerce
and forming treaties with the principal ma
val powers of Europe and America, he has
employed all his resources in subjecting tc
his sway the petty governments and indie.
pendent tribes in his neighborhood. In
this way, he has become master of an ex-
tensive line of sea-coast, not only in Ara.
bia, but also on the adjacent shores of Per.
STA and Africa. Several islands in the In.
al oh la1,r
cy. In general, it is said that he has used
his authority to better purpose than is com
mon with Oriental monarchs. Certainly
in all his dealings with civilized powers, he
has evnced a sagacity and magnanimity
which have won for him high reputation
OF course the neighboring tribes of Bedo
wees, whose turbulent spirit and plundering
propensities are kept in check by his supe
rior force, look upon his government witt
great aversion, though they have recourse
to his protection in any difficulty. Thi:
will explain why our young Johasmee flee
for refuge to place which he held in sucl
dislike, and from which he was so anxious
to depart.
The preparations of the two partners, 81
slngularly brought together, were soon made
The boat of the Johasmee was of good size
requiring, to man it completely, eight row
ers. In addition, therefore, to the three slave
of Khalil, who were well accustomed to tn,
work, they hired five others, who were als'
to serve as seibors or pulers-up," tern
which will be hereafter explained. Beside
these, they had six ghowas, ssdiyers; Kha
iii himself intending to take a chief par
in the work. Having laid in supply o
dates, rice, dried fish, and other provision
they set sail from Muscat, and stood owe
towards the opposite or northern shore o
the Persian Gulf BY so doing Khalil no
ped to avoid falling in with any of his &C
quaintances-whether friends or enemies
of the tribe of Johassam, who occupy tn,
northern and western side of that gulf HI
looked, indeed, anxiously at the lofty head
land, dimly seen in the distance, behin'
which lay the town of Ras ell Kheima, tn
abode of his brethren and of his foes--o
those who sought his life, and of one VIII
he knew loved him more than life. Blu
not even the sight of that home, for whicl
his heart was yearning, could cause tn
slightest change in the stern and cold as
pect with which he had learned from child
hood, like the Indians of America, to vel
all his feelings. Without sigh, he turne