Several divers were employed to find a sword which by an accident was lost overboard in eight fathoms, where the ship was anchored; two of them went down several times, and the greatest length of time either remained under water, was _two_ minutes and _five_ seconds. The ship’s bottom being very foul, two large gangs of divers were employed to cleanse it, which was thoroughly effected with scrapers and rubbers in the course of four hours, taking off oysters of the size nearly of the palm of the hand, and barnacles also of a very large size; this was done at an expense of twenty-five dollars. It had a very ludicrous effect to see so many venerable long beards, white, grizzled and black, thus employed, and constantly popping their bare heads and dripping beards out of the water. [Sidenote: MUSCAT TOM--BEDOUIN ARABS.] We were many times in the day amused to see two very large fin-back whales fishing alongside, and under the bows and stern of the ship. The male has been a daily visiter in this harbour for upward of twenty years, and goes by the name of “Muscat Tom.” Formerly the cove was much infested with sharks, so that no person would venture into the water; but after he took possession, it was freed entirely of these pests, these sea-manduleens, (mandarins,) as the Chinese fishermen call them, in derision of the all-grasping _land mandarins_. A few years since he was missing for many days; the sharks ascertained by some means that he was “not at home” to pay _particular_ attention to his _visiters_ and invite them _in_; they therefore intruded upon his quarters, and not only banqueted upon his larder, which was filled with a great variety of fine fish, but actually invited and _sore pressed_ some of the land bipeds to _follow_ them; as they are equally as well pleased with flesh as with fish, the consequence was, the _natives_ refused to join any other _jamb_ or _crush_ of the usurpers, and took a great dislike to _aquatic parties_. Happily at length, bold Tom returned, and every thing was restored to its proper order; for he had been like “Celebs in search of a wife;” and if he did not bring her home under his arm, he brought her under his fin, and “she was a helpmeet unto him;” and together they made a clear _sweep_ of all the pests and incumbrances of their household, to the great joy of the land-animals, who again paid them frequent visits.