humor for it. Drawing the rag in which the gold
was wrapped from his pocket — "No," exclaims the
narrator parenthetically **not that exactly either;
I will tell the truth Mr Bancroft ; I had tied it up
for safe-keeping in the corner of my shirt,"^ — he showed
it to his friends. They took it from him, weighed it,
and found that he had srathered a little short of an
ounce and a half There was no further secret dig-
ging for Bigler, for on the next Sunday, the 27th of
February, five others determined to accompany him ;
and they spent the day, lying prostrate with their
faces to the ground, scratching and hunting for the
precious particles.
That night arrived from below three of the Mormon boys, Fieiield- Sidney Willis, and Wilford Hudson, with their guns and blankets on their backs. It ap- pears the secret written to Martin, Green, and Evans, was told, for easier keeping, to other three, who find- ing it heavy, started at once for the saw-mill, saying to their companions that they were going on a visit, and for a few days' shooting. Marshall happened to be in the house when they arrived, and instead of being offended at Bigler's faithlessness, talked good humoredly about their prospects till a late hour, and gave Hudson permission to dig in the tail-race. Therefore early next morning the three went thither, and not long after Hudson picked up a lump worth about six dollars. On Thursday, the 2d of March, the Mormons took their departure for the flouring-mill, Willis and Hudson following the river to look for gold, and Fiefield, accompanied by Bigler, going by the road.
All four met at the flouring-mill. All the way down the river, though passing over some of the rich- est deposits, Willis #.nd Hudson gathered only fifty cents ; and so disgusted were they that they refused to have anything more to do with the business, though urged by their friends, who volunteered to go back with them. Bigler, however, returned to
