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The boys dig, and we sift the diggings in this cradle, which rocks in the water so that all the dirt runs out and the gold stays in at least, it would if there were any to stay. Last year we dug for ever so long, but never got any gold at all. We found some pretty crystals, though." "I found a purple one just like an amethyst," Grizzel joined in; "but Mr. Fraser said it wasn't.
"Then we'll go barefoot. Now, see here, we shan't be away more than three months. A pair of well-made shoes will last longer than that, and the same is true about our clothes, though we have the means of mending them, if modesty calls for it, which ain't likely to be the case in the diggings. Caps, coats, vests, trousers, and shoes are to sarve from the day we start till we come back.
But," and his face lighted up again, "jest wait till I make my strike in th' diggings an' nuthin' 'll be tew good for her an' th' yunks." "Do you reckon we can make Sacramento City tew-night?" here broke in one of the men anxiously. "We was a calculatin' that we might." "Yes," answered Thure, "if you are willing to travel late; but you'll have to hustle to do it."
Moreover, digging in the boulders and gravel, under the terrific heat of the California sun in midsummer, was none too easy; and no matter how rich the diggings averaged short of an actual bonanza the miner was disappointed in his expectations. One man is reported saying: "They tell me I can easily make there eleven hundred dollars a day. You know I am not easily moved by such reports.
Thorne says, "Hundreds of people landed at Tantalus en route to the new White Horse diggings. Most of these people had been misinformed as to the best place to start from. I informed some of them, but found that a person with gold fever is very unreasonable and stubborn. Those that returned this way wore a very dilapidated and sorry appearance."
We used to look up from our diggings at the procession of these sad-faced, lean men walking by their emaciated cattle, and the women peering from the wagons, and be very thankful that we had decided against the much-touted overland route. One day, however, an outfit went through of quite a different character. We were apprised of its approach by a hunter named Bagsby.
'How's she? Progressing back'ards, I expect, as usual? Well! How's Queen Victoria? 'In good health, I believe, said Martin. 'Queen Victoria won't shake in her royal shoes at all, when she hears to-morrow named, observed the stranger, 'No. 'Not that I am aware of. Why should she? 'She won't be taken with a cold chill, when she realises what is being done in these diggings, said the stranger.
Grant was a new chum Scotchman with no money, but a demon for hard work, and the most headstrong, bad-tempered man that ever lived hard to hold at any time. After he'd worked for Gordon for awhile he went to the diggings and made a huge pile; and when old Gordon got a bit short of cash he took Grant into partnership." "It must have been funny for a man to have his old manager as a partner!"
After a breakfast of eggs that had been a powder, Lester and he were at the diggings, sifting dust for the dropped and discarded items of an alien visitation. Thus Frank's job began.
A more unnatural apparition at the diggings could not well be imagined. Ned Sinton could hardly credit his eyes, but no rubbing of them would dispel the vision. There he stood, a regular Broadway swell, whose love of change had induced him to seek his fortune in the gold-regions of California, and whose vanity had induced him to retain his drawing-room costume.
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