The gold dust we found here was coarser than it was where I worked before, down south on the Merced River.

Before I came to California I always supposed that gold dust was really dust, and about as fine as flour.
We went up the North Fork about a mile or two above town and camped on Wisconsin Flat to begin our mining operations.

Our luck was poor at first, and all except myself were out of money, and more or less in debt to me.

We made expenses, however, and a little more, and as soon as Mr.
Ross got his small debt paid he said he was discouraged mining, and with blankets on his shoulders started up the trail towards Galloway's ranch, on the summit south of town.

Mr.Ross said the work was too hard for him, for he was not strong enough to handle pick and shovel, and he believed he could go down to Sacramento and make more by his wits than he could here.