The village was a small one, more like a camp.

Down a steep ravine tents were pitched on every available spot, where a level surface afforded a floor.

They were raised without regard to symmetry or order.

Paul and his friend Lord looked around the camp and secured lodging with an old Californian who agreed to board them during their stay for ten shillings a day.

At the same time he assured them that he did not intend to remain long there as the diggings were nearly played out and he was going to shift the following week to Dutoitspan.