I have but little doubt that many of the people who went to the Pacific coast in the early days of the gold excitement, and have never been heard from since, or who were heard from for a time and then ceased to write, found watery graves beneath the houses or streets built over San Francisco Bay.
Besides the gambling in cards there was gambling on a larger scale in city lots.

These were sold "On Change," much as stocks are now sold on Wall Street.

Cash, at time of purchase, was always paid by the broker; but the purchaser had only to put up his margin.

He was charged at the rate of two or three per cent.

a month on the difference, besides commissions.