Strange had worked spasmodically at the mine, where he was employed because labor was scarce.

He was not a good workman, and when he had earned a small sum generally bought provisions and went off into the bush to re-locate a silver lode he claimed to have found when he was young.

He came back ragged and disappointed, and when liquor could be got indulged freely before he resumed his work.
Nobody believed his tale; Strange's lode was something of a joke.

The miners called him a crank, and Thirlwell had doubted if he was quite sane, but he persisted in his search and sometimes Black Steve Driscoll went North with him.

It was suspected that Driscoll made an unlawful profit by selling the Indians liquor, which perhaps accounted for his journeys with Strange.