for the Busos, or divers, and one for the
government. This division having been concluded, they next
proceed, without moving from their places, to open the oysters
which have fallen to the lot of the armador. During this
operation, that dignitary has to watch the Busos with the
greatest scrutiny, to prevent them from swallowing the pearls
with the oysters, a trick which they perform with so much
dexterity as to almost defy detection, and by means of which they
often manage to secrete the most valuable pearls.

"The government portion is next opened with the same precautions,
and taken into possession by the armador. And, last of all, the
Busos open theirs, and sell them to the armador in liquidation of
debts incurred for their outfits, or of moneys advanced during
the voyage. They usually reserve a few to sell to dealers on
shore, who always accompany these expeditions with spirituous
liquors, chocolate, sugar, cigars, and other articles of which
Indian divers are especially fond. Since the Mexicans obtained
their independence, another mode of division has been adopted.
Every time the Busos come up, the largest oyster which he has
obtained is taken by the armador, and laid aside for the use of
the Virgin Mary. The rest are thrown in a pile; and, when the
day's diving is ended, eight oysters are laid out for the
armador, eight for the Busos, and two for the government.

"In the year 1831, one vessel with seventy Busos, another with
fifty, and two with thirty each, and two boats with ten each,
from the coast of Sonora, engaged in this fishery. The one
brought in forty ounces of pearls, valued at $6500; another,
twenty-one ounces, valued at $3000; another, twelve ounces,
valued at $2000, and the two boats a proportionate quantity.
There were, in the same season, ten or twelve other vessels, from
other parts, employed in the same trade, which, if equally
successful, swelled the value of pearls taken in that year to the
sum of more than forty thousand dollars."--FARNHAM'S _Scenes in
the Pacific_, p. 307.

CHAPTER XIV.

First Sight of the Valley of Mexico.--A Venice in a mountain
Valley.--An Emperor waiting his Murderers.--Cortez mowing down
unarmed Indians.--A new kind of Piety.--Capture of an
Emperor.--Torturing an Em