Marshall came up and said, "Boys, I believe I have
found a gold mine." The remark produced no start-
ling effect upon his hearers, and Marshall walked off"
to his house on the mountain-side which he had lately
built for himself Later Marshall visited the men's
cabin, and again remarked that he was almost sure
he had found gold at the lower end of the race. Then
he said, " Brown, I want you and Bigler to shut
down the head-gate early in the morning. Throw in
a little saw-dust, rotten leaves, and dirt ; make all
tight, and we will see what will come of it."
The men do as they had been told. And while they are at breakfast Marshall goes down to the mill- race alone. After breakfast the m^en come out, and each betakes himself to his work. Presently Mar- shall appears, his old white hat within his arm, look- ing wonderfully pleased. A smile overspreads his face, and the boj's know that it means something unusual. Coming nearer, slowly, quietly, yet in heavy depth of tone he speaks : " Boys, by God, I've got it ; " and he places his hat down on a bench in the mill-3^ard. All gather round to see what it is ; and there, sure enough, on the top of the crown, knocked in a little, lies the worshipful metal. There is about half an ounce of it, in flakes and grains, from the smallest particle to pieces as large as a kernel of wheat or larger, and though not one of the party has ever before seen gold in its native state, there is no longer a skeptic among them. Azariah Smith draws from his pocket a five-dollar piece, part of his mili- tary pay, and compares it with the dust. There seenL-^; to be little difference in color or weight ; the coin is somewhat lio-hter in tint, which is accounted for by reason of its alloy. Not a very crucial test, but all sufficient at this juncture.
Led by Marshall, all now hasten down the race, and soon are absorbed in picking from the seams and crevices the precious metal. They conclude that the deposit is rich ; and from this time the fever
