144 PEARLS AND PEARLING 



In places like the rapids, near Rapids City, Illinois, 

 where the author used this method of pearl hunting the 

 running water is rather dangerous, and it is customary 

 for the pearl hunters to use a small rope about thirty feet 

 long, one end of which is tied around the man's waist, 

 and the other end is tied to the bow of the boat. There 

 are many deep places there and it would be impossible to 

 swim back to the anchored boat against the force of the 

 water, so the rope is a good safeguard, and especially 

 so when one is working alone. Four or five hours is a 

 a good day's work in the water and the work should be 

 done during the hottest part of the day. When the water 

 is cold enough to make one's teeth begin to strike against 

 each other it is not safe to remain in the water. The 

 method is not a very desirable one and not used much, 

 except where fine shells are found near the factories 

 where they bring the highest prices, or in other places 

 where pearls are more frequently found, such as Caddo 

 Lake, Texas. The methods that are used differ accord- 

 ing to the local conditions. A method that is good in one 

 locality will often be worthless in another place. It is a 

 good plan therefore to know them all so if one method 

 fails another can be used successfully. 



