124 PEARLS AND PEARLING 



hooks it is usually time to take up the other bar. The 

 workman must also watch to keep the boat over the mus- 

 sel bed. 



There are some men who sometimes drag both bars 

 on the mussel beds at the same time. In some places 

 where the current is strong enough to pull both bars it 

 is a good plan to use this method over the portion of the 

 bed which contains the most mussels. The amateur will 

 have enough to do in dragging one bar successfully, but 

 later when he has learned the position of the bed better 

 and can handle the boat and dredges with more ease it 

 will be possible for him to use both bars to advantage 

 in some places. 



In using both bars the first bar is placed a long distance 

 from the boat and the rope is tied to the front of the 

 boat, while the second bar is placed nearer to the boat, 

 and the rope is tied to one of the rear standards. Then 

 the mule is placed in the water deeply to pull well, and 

 the pearl hunter can give his entire attention to guiding 

 his boat. When the time comes to raise the bars, the 

 mule should remain at work until one bar is raised, and 

 it must be remembered that the one which was placed in 

 the water last and which is nearest the boat should be 

 raised first and placed on the standards. By this time 

 the other dredge has also been dragged far enough so the 

 mule can be raised and the dredge in the water anchors 

 the boat while the mussels are being taken from the 

 hooks of the dredge which has been raised. In new pearl 

 fisheries where the mussels are very plentiful it is not 

 often desirable to use both bars at once, as enough shells 



