Miners' Stories; III. An Experience with Judge Lynch [pp. 29-32]

Miners' Stories.
III.-AN EXPERIENCE WITH JUDGE LYNCH.
IN the year 1850, a number of casual higher the stubborn spirit of the Bosacquaintances, who had a friendly feel. tonians, who made no replies, but stuck
ing for each other, and whose mining closer to their occupation in sinking
claims had given out about the same deeper, raising the earth by the shovels
time, proposed among themselves to full higher above their heads,- perhaps
go out prospecting for new diggings. now and then with feelings a little
Carefully examining the hills, gulches, streaked, yet in hopes the result would
and little streams of water on their way, lead to "color," and back their judgment
they concluded at last to take up claims and faith.
about three miles distant from the forks At last the bed rock was struck. For
of Nevada Creek, at a place that had a moment or two the three looked at
been overlooked by former searchers for each other and stopped work. The boys
for treasure. gathered about them with questions and
Our company was made up of twenty- sarcasms; they were unmerciful in their
four members. Net profits were to be banterings. In despair at the looks of
divided pro rata, and the work was to be the situation, the last chance was taken,
done equallyby all,with the oneexception and the three pans were filled with the
of the youngest of the party, who it was thin streak of gravel and blue clay that
decided should cut the wood and do the covered the bottom of the excavation.
cooking. Every man was to keep his Climbing up the steep side of the ditch,
own tin plate, cup, and spoon in order they began the " wash out" as soon as
and, ina p\ace,- as oaxe of the mexn said, they reached the running water. None
"Every feller expected to black his own cared to follow them; their work was
boots." As this may possibly be read unheeded; all believed the mine was
by some of the company, I give a list of "played out." Some began to pack up,
names, as far as memory will allow, — a few strolled about, and others amused
the rest I cannot learn now: Sam Smith, themselves by singing together negro
Joe Porter, John French, Charley Dra- melodies.
per, Henry Lake, Charles Ward, Albert Of a sudden there was an elated shout
Breck, Dan Matchet, George Bigelow, from the panners. They had reduced
Al Bracket, Bill Dana, Tom Winship, the dirt to the half pan, and had reached
Sam Wellington, Hill Hardy, Aleck Ben- the dipping rotary process, showing
net, Bob Forster, Dan Driggs, Bill Pres- something of the prospect. The tables
cott. were now suddenly turned upon the
The prospect at first was good, but a former mockers; they were held in de week's work resulted unsatisfactorily. rision; they were chaffed and spared
Many were for abandoning the claim. not. The sight of the bottoms of the
Some proposed another trial, deeper pans took away all the stings of wit, and
down. Others said they would do as the erased all thoughts beyond, the joy of
majority decided, and would have no success. Every one went to work with
voice in the discussion. One somewhat excitement, vigorous strokes of the pick
excitedly swore he would not leave until were given, and the shovel was deftly
he struck "bed rock or China." He handled. The three alone considered
was joined by two of his "chums," and themselves privileged characters; they
they set to work in good earnest, while looked on, occasionally paying off old
the others lay at full length on the scores with attempts at witty remarks.
ground, or stood lazily looking on, chaf- The camp soon followed the daily rou fing, and trying to reason the hard work- tine of a miner's life of the times, with
ers out of their freak. This only raised scarce an interruption, until the provis
1890.1