DIAMONDS.	37
	was slack and the level of the water was approaching its lowest, alarge number of people—according to some of my informants, as many as 5,000—assembled and raised an embankment across the mouth of the northern channel, its share of water being thus deflected into the southern. In the stagnant pools left in the former sufficient water remained to enable the washers to wash the gravel accumulated between the rocks in their rude wooden trays and cradles. Upon women seems to have fallen the chief burden of the actual washing, while the men collected the stuff. The im­plements employed and the method of washing were similar to those commonly adopted in gold-washing, save only that the finer gravel was not thrown away until it had been thoroughly searched for diamonds— at least, I was given so to understand, but Tavernier's account of this part of the process is probably correct. Whatever gold was found became the property of the washer, as already stated. Those who were so for­tunate as to find a valuable stone were rewarded by being given a village. According to some accounts, the washers generally held their villages and lands rent-free; but I think it most unlikely that all who were engaged in the operations should have done so. So far as I could gather, the people did not regard their (in a manner) enforced services as involving any great hardship ; they gave me to understand that they would be glad to see the annual search re-established on the old terms. Indeed, it is barely possible to conceive of the condition of the Jharas having been at any time worse than it is at present. No doubt the gambling element, which may be said to have been ever present in work of the above nature, commended it to the native mind. According to Mr. Emanuel