After prospecting for several days and finding that they could not get a claim unless it was for an exorbitant price, they decided to adopt the Californian's idea and start over for the "dry diggings" at Dutoitspan.
On arriving there they met a sorter who assured them that he was fully posted in regard to claims, the value of the stones found and everything else and agreed to enter partnership providing they purchased the outfit.

After some hesitation and examination, they agreed to this.
They bought a sieve, sorting table, and tent with cooking apparatus, etc., and started for a claim.

They were fortunate in getting one about thirty feet square.

There they erected their tent, under the supervision of the sorter who unceremoniously made himself head of the camp and who did more talking than work.

Then they began the digging of the trench around their claim.