The black sand is derived from the crystals of magnetic iron, and there is frequently a fair amount of fine gold mingled with them.

By the continued action of the surf the heavier materials, gold, and ironstone sand, are mingled together between high and low water mark, and what appears as a stratum of black sand is found on the surface or buried under the ordinary sand.
The gold is usually very fine, and the trouble of sifting and collecting it is great.

A man works for wages, and hard-earned wages at that, who goes in for this kind of mining.

But your true miner is ever an adventurer and a gambler, and gold thus won is dearer to his heart than gold which might be earned with less effort and more regularity in the form of sovereigns.

You see, there is always the chance of a big find.
"Moynglass and his party had met with fair success along the beaches, but they wanted more than that.