es of
their nature. Sometimes it became necessary for every member of the community to watch every other member, lest by some evil act the gods would be of- fended and send down vengeance on all.
Nevertheless, out about this wilderness, among comrades, partners as they frequently called each other, in times of sickness and death there were deeds performed such as hew mountains into statues in honor of the doers, while sea and solemn pines unite to sing their praises. And grotesque as might be the miner's burial as all knelt round the grave, old-time habit and the liberal potations drank in honor of the departed, aiding their genuflexions, there was as much heart as in brass bands or priestly palaverings.
Thousands there were who came and saw, but did not conquer. Coming for wool they went home shorn. Let the clouds write in dismal shadows on the red earth now abandoned of this swarthy society — fuimus, we have been ! Complaint was of no avail ; roast beef, plum pudding, and champagne were not with them in season. Verily, it seemed if ever in this bustling, breathing world times were out of j<iint, it was these Californian times of 1849. Wickedness prospered; virtue and merit appeared to be the ene- mies rather than the friends of fortune.
Many a sparkling mountain stream has proved to many a lusty digger an Acheron, a river of sorrow. His destiny had seemed to him as surely predeter- mined as was that of Achilles, foretold by his goddess mother. Stay at home and a long life of inglorious ease crowned by wealth and progeny awaited him ; go, and a glorious death should swiftly follow a career of victory.
And now, round his bronzed visage, coarsely streaked with corroding care, hung grizzled locks wildly matted as by the heavy pressure of inexorable environment upon the brain. Under the Sierra's feet is gold enough for others but none forme. Bushelsof it from all parts pile themselves up at the metropo
