Part 42 (1/2)
”Yes, Sir,” said Brocket,business in that line”
”I will tell you franklyupon you I have just co a systematic plan for the pearl fisheries You are aware that out there they still cling to the old fashi+on of diving, which was begun three thousand years ago I wish to see if I can not bring science to bear upon it, so as to raise the pearl-oysters in larger quantities”
”That's a good idea of yours,” rehtfully
”I came to you to see if you could inform me whether it would be practicable or not”
”Perfectly so,” said Brocket
”Do you ith the diving-bell in your business or with ar-bell for stationary purposes; but when it is necessary to ive a man any freedom of movement?”
”The armor is far better than the bell The armor is so perfect now that a practiced hand canMy o in and out and all through them Sometimes this is the most profitable part of our business”
”Why so?”
”Why, because there is often money or valuable articles on board, and these always are ours See,” said Brocket, opening a drawer and taking out some silver coin, ”here is some money that we found in an old Dutch vessel that was sunk up the Hudson a hundred years ago Our men walked about the bed of the river till they found her, and in her cabin they obtained a sum of money that would surprise you--all old coin”
”An old Dutch vessel! Do you often find vessels that have been sunk so long ago?”
”Not often But we are always on the lookout for therown quite communicative ”You see, those old shi+ps always carried ready cash--they didn't use bank-notes and bills of exchange So if you can only find one you're sure ofto bear in mind in our pearl enterprise?”
”Of course I should think that out there some reefsabout those coasts ever since the first shi+p was built”
”How far down can a diver go in armor?
”Oh, any reasonable depth, when the pressure of the water is not too great Some pain in the ears is felt at first froo down as far as fifteen or sixteen fatho can they stay down?”
”In the bells, you know, they go down and are pulled up only in the , when their work is done”
”Hoith the men in armor?”
”Oh, they can stand it alh
There is one advantage in the arht and come up whenever he likes”
”Have you ever been down yourself?”
”Oh yes--oftener than any of my men I'o down often now It's hard work, and I' old”
”Is it much harder than other work?”
”Well, you see, it's unnatural sort of work, and is hard on the lungs
Still, I alas healthy The real reason why I stopped was a circuo”