Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-17
FISHING FOR TREASURES.
THE DRAGONS THAT GUARD TIE COL
DEN APPLES
Exploits of the Native Divers in Cortez'
Sea-Battles With the Terrible
Man-Eaters,
Especial Correspondence of the REOORD-Us1oS

Special Correspondence of the REooRD-UNIoN.1
La VENrANA q. c J, Mexico.
Pearl-fshing has its destinations, even
to the distant looker-on, although he
knows there is little possibility that any
of the treasures brought up win ever
fall into his hands. With what interest
he watches preparations as the fleet of
small sail-boats collects on the spot to be
searched, and the fishers prepare to de-
scend-in what suspense does he wait dur
ing the few seconds that seem like hours,
while the venturesome diver is below the
surface, walking amid dangers unknown
with what breathless anxiety, as the ex-
hausted toiler of the sea is hauled up
again, apparently more dead than alive,
yet taking good care Of his precious sack
of shells, in spite of :harks or whatever
may betide.
The best time of year for pearl fishing
is between the first of May and the last
of October, and the best time of day is
from sunrise until noon, the remaining
hours until dark being employed in open
ing the oysters and searching them for
gems. 1t is a well-known fact that, though
the pearls lie fathoms deep, the fishing
season is much affected by rain Through
one of Natures mysterious processes, the
"sweet water" from the clouds kills the
weeds and grasses growing at the bottom
of the sea. Soon as this submarine vege-
tation dies, it rises to the salty surface and
is blown ashore by strong wind. This
leaves the sandy floor OF the gulf free from
the tall and tangled shelter under which
the pearl-oysters hide and the divers can
find them with much less trouble. After
the rainy season is over, the waters remain
Comparatively clear for months, during
which time work is vigorously prosecuted.
In some places along the coast quantities
of pearl shells have been washed ashore
by hurricanes; but strange to say, none
bearing the fruit so eagerly sought have
eyer allowed themselves to be stranded,
but cling tenaciously to rocks and corals.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA.
1t is estimated that fully e-quarter of
the entire population of Lower California
is interested in pearl-fishing The vessels
used are called "plungers," generally of
two or three tons burden each manned by
a crew of six, including one diver. Messrs.
Gonzales & Ruffo employ twenty-one of
these vessels and as many divers; and
others who hold Government rights" send
out many more.
was so fortunate as to be possessed OF a
letter of introduction to the present owner
of the fisheries in Nentana Bay, and there
obtained my first near view of the modus
operandi, from first TO last, without which
/ could never have left the spot with any
degree of satisfaction. Where will not
curiosity, the heritage Of the sex, lure any
daughter of Eve? 1t has led me over
nights and into depths and through perils
innumerable in many strange corners of
creation-into mines of gold and silver and
copper and coal; into gruesome caverns
and the craters of volcanoes; to search
for opals at Amaleo and Queretaro,
for carbuncles among the mountains
of Sonora, topaz in Durango, emer-
aldss at Tejapilco, and amethysts
In Jalisco; and it was this same spirit of
feminine curiosity that actuated our early
ancestress in her interview with the SER
pent, not journalistic ambition or the pur-
suit of knowledge that induced me to go
pearl fshing-to risk life and limb for the
sake of holding in my hand few grayish
particles fresh from the sea, of carbonate
of lime mixed with organic matter.
Ventana Bay lies midway between Cape
San Lucas and Malege, in sort of semi
circle, thirteen miles long and six miles
deep, protected from winds and breakers.
Were romancer looking the wide world
over for some secluded place 10 people
with ocean castaways, a Ia Robinson
Crusoe, here is the very spot-Iniuus the
beauties which that ancient mariner dis
covered on his desert island. The country
.hereabouts Is
INDESCRIBABL LONESOME.
Burning sands, imprinted by human foot,
broken here and there by PERCEPTIONS
cliffs, the eternal silence broken only by
screaming gulls and the restless dashing of
the waves Lying off this lonesome coast,
however, are hundred islands, great and
small, all more or less picturesque or fer
tile and between them and the barren
beach are the fisheries.
Near the shore, which, with low undula-
tions, stretches back to the unexplored
mountains, lies the little village of La
Nentana. \ tolerable road leads to San
Antonio distance Of fifteen miles
where are the celebrated "rriunfo" silver
mines. At one time all the product of
these mines was brought 10 San Antonio
for shipment, but at present it is taken to
La Paz, some thirty miles away. To the
south stretches an extensive plain, covered
with sand and cacti, and on the north the
coast hills rise from the waters edge, form
ing, with the high peaks of the interior,
an almost unbroken chain to the point of
the peninsula. About seven miles from
this place are those much-talked-of twin
peaks, called Los Cacachiles, standing a
mile apart, each four thousand feet high
In them are veins of copper, silver and
gold, which are being worked by a Texas
syndicate, under the management of Mr..
Chas. i. Hall, New York mining ex-
pert.
The oyster-beds facing Ventana cover
tract fifteen miles square, which for many
generations has been in the possession Of
one family. Through the courtesy OF the
present owner, the desire Of my heart was
gratided, and | was at last permitted to go
earl-ishing.
Our boat was aseven-ton affair, manned"
by four oarsmen, three divers, cook, the
telegraph-rope man, the owner and his
spouse and your correspondent. Arriving.
at the spot TO be searched, just as the sun
came peering over the mountains, anchor
was cast, and a Yaqui diver, with his knife
between his teeth and big stone in his
hand, scrambled over the side of the boat
and dropped out Of sight like lump of
lead. He was sent out merely rs a scout,
to report whether the locality was worth
working In less than a minute he came
up, putting like a porpoise, with the YER
diet of rico bastoats, erich enough
Then the machine men prepared for bust
ness. They were good-looking, lusty
young fellows, but became objects Of terror
when once inside
THEIR GRoTEsQUE ARsioR,