as
they might venture on a Derby sweepstake. But no regular organized
washing of Pearl oysters had ever been attempted by any European. The
whole business had for generations been monopolized by the native
merchants from the bazaars of India and Ceylon.
The
report of the survey being encouraging, and the sample of Pearls found
in the preliminary diving having been above the average, both in yield
and in quality, the author of this work determined upon speculating,
and accordingly an agent was commissioned in Colombo to attend the
public auction, and bid for the whole of the yield of the fisheries.
But the Ceylon Government refused to entertain any single private offer
or tender, and determined to put the 'oysters up in lots in the usual
way.
The
fisheries were held off the N.W. coast of Ceylon, at a district called
Silavatorrai, or Silvatura, a most inaccessible place, the only means
of transport being by common fishing canoes, or by chartering a
special steamer.
The
fleet consisted of two divisions alternately working the banks, which
were situated at a distance of about 10 to 15 miles from the shore. The
agent had arranged for native brokers to purchase at
