Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-07
SATURDAY, MAY I, 1859.

held in such dislike, and from whlch ne was
so anxious to depart.
The preparations of the two partners, so
singularly brought together, were soon maze.
| The boat of the Johasmee was OF good size,
recurring to man it completely, eight rowers.
In addition, therefore, to the three slaves oi
Khalil, who were well accustomed to the WORK
they hired FIVE others, who were also to serve
as seibors, or '.pullers-up," term which VIII
he hereafter explained. Besides these they
had six ghowas, or divers Khalil himself in
tending to take chief part in the work;
] Having laid in supply of dates, rice. DRIED
| fish, and other provisions, they set sail from
Muscat, and stood over towards the opposite
oy northern shore of the Persian Gulf. by so
doing, Khalil hoped to avoid falling in with
any Of his acquaintances--whe friends or
enemies--of the tribe Of Johassam, who oc-
cupy the northern and western side OF that
! gulf He looked, indeed, anxiously towards
the lofty headland, dimly seen in the distance
behind which lay the town OF Ras 81 khelma
the abode of his brethren and OF his foes-of
those who sought his life, and of one who he
knew loved him more than life. But not even
the sight of that home, for which his heart
was yearning could cause the slightest change
in the stern and cold aspect with which he had
learned from childhood, like the Indians OF
America, to veil all his feelings. Without a
sigh. he turned from Ras ell Kheima, to- gaze
1 on the barren rock of 0rmuz, once the most
| splendid mart of Oriental commerce, and now
the abode of a few hundred poor fishermen
and salt -gatherers. After passing this, they
entered the long and narrow strait between
the island of Kishm and the Persian shore.
Here they made their way swiftly with sail
and oar, and at length came out into the
broad and open gulf. Two days of steady
progress brought them in sight OF the island
| of Karak. They saw on their way many other
| sails of vessels, some bound on errands oil
trade, others proceeding towards the various
resorts of the pearl-fshery, and one or two,
as they surmised, lying in wait to entrap some
unwary prize.
They had the good fortune to avoid, them
ALL and having reached the point from which
poor Haroun had been blown oil, they steered
as nearly as possible in the direction which
he indicated to discover the Rock Of Good
Fortune for this was the name which he had
bestowed upon ii in the transport of his dis
covery. After going to the full distance which
he had directed. and even further, they could
| find nothing of it. Two days were spent IN
unsuccessful cruising near the spot, and the
unfortunate Persian was in despair. With the
usual levity and Inconsistency of his nation,
his spirits, which had been excessively raised
by what he deemed the certain prospect OIL
great acquisitions, were proportionably de-
pressed. He cursed his i'll luck which per-
petually pursued him, poured maledictions
on the memory of poor Haroun, whom he de-
nounced as liar and imposter, and entreated
his companion to spend no more time in the
useles search for that which had no existence.
Bnt the Johasmee was of a different temper.
He coolly turned the head of the boat towards
the Island of Karak, and from thence took
what seamen call ga fresh departure, "
keeping better lookout than before. Again
were the hopes of Saadee raised, only to be
dashed by new disappointment. The rock
still eluded their search. 1t is impossible to
say whether Khalil had ever heard the we'll
known anecdstS ST the 0fientaf e61iE 4sfii n,
Who was taught a lesson of perseverance by
observing that an ant, after failing in seventy
soven attempts to carry grain of millet up
wall, made yet another and succeeded. 1t is
certain that he acted in the spirit of this story,
for he turnnd nnne more towards Karak, and
yet again in the search, keeping more towards
the south, SO as to allow for the current, which
he thought might have led Haroun astray.
This time they were successful, coming directly
upon the rock, and so suddenly as to surprise
them all. The bank was found in the assigned
place, and the memory Of the poor pearl-diver
was vindicated.
They now prepared for business. The di-
yers, including Khalil, dressed themselves in
complete suits of white cotton, to protect their
bodies from the contact of the round gelati-
mons masses of animated matter, called by
sailors sun-iellies, or sea-nettles, and by ma
turalists meduse, which have the property, |
when touched, of producing sharp, singing !
pain. Then each diver, letting himself over
the side of the boat, placed his feet on stone
attached to cord, which was held by seibor
or puller-tip. On his left arm he carried a
4I,,. xvh faI, lol
might collect. Then closing his nostrils with |
a piece of elastic horn he gave the signal, by
raising his right arm, and was Immediately |
lowered away, the stone enabling him to sink
to the bottom without difficulty. Here, in a
time varying from thirty to hundred seconds,
he employed himself in filling his basket; as
soon as this was done, or he felt himself in
need of breath, he jerked the rope as signal
and was Immediately hauled to the surface.
Ii may be as well to remark here that the sto-
ries which are told of divers remaining under
water for five or more minutes are not to be
credited the most experienced fishermen are
unable to continue two minutes without brea-
thing.
The evening was spent in opening the largest
and most promising oysters, which they did
with their knives The pearl 1t is well known
is found embedded in the substance or .'fesh''
of the oyster, near the joint of the shell. Saa-
dee and Khalil were soon convinced that the
Rock of Good Fortune was rightly named
Every day pearls of great size and beauty re-
warded their search. Tho masses of Shells Il
which they had no time to open, were thrown
on the rock, where the heat of the sun soon
them, and caused the valves to
burst asunder, giving the pearls which they
contained to view. Khalil was indefatigable
in his labors. He saw the ransom rapidly ac-
which was to restore him to his
home, his friends, and his Amineh. Every
morning, after the early prayer, he resumed
his labors, nor did he cease till the setting /,
sun called them all to their evening devotions.
September at last was nearly over, and the
gulf, hitherto smooth and placid, began to be
roughened by the autumnal gales. Long ex-
perience made the divers aware that it was
time to cease their efforts for the year. With
a heavy sigh, Saadee gave the word to raise
the anchor, and setting their sail, they direc-
ted their course towards the mouth OF the
gulf. strong northerly wind made it neoes-
sary to keep along the southern shore, and
approach within short distance of the head
land of Ras ell Kheima. This however, gave
little apprehension to Khalil, as he considered
that the same wind would prevent any Of his
tribe from putting to sea.
But in this expectation he was doomed to
be disappointed. Hardly had they passed
the cape when a large bugalah put out from
behind long row of islands, which extended
parallel to the shore. A single glance showed
Khalil that it was the vessel of his deadly
enemies, the Mohassanees. Whether they