River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-29
A GOLD DIGGER'S ADVENTURE.

In the year 1858 l was one of party
of six miners who were engaged in dig
ging for gold in the gully known by
the euphonious title of Peg Leg, in Her
Majesty's Colony of Victoria, a Province
of that third continent, Australia. Our
claim was pretty well worked out aud
two of our men were out each day pros
pecting for new ground; bat nothing pay
able could we strike, and We were getting
tired of working for our food only, which
was about all our claim had given US for
several weeks, though it bad paid well
at first, and we were by no means "hard
up One evening as we sat around our
fire, smoking ard talking of our homes,
and of big finds of gold, one ofthe two
who had been prospecting that day spoke
up: "Come, boys, let's get out o. this.
Peg Legs PLAYED ont. I'm going to
make move for Black Jacks tomorrow
morning. Who saws goln
The proposition was duly discussed,
and resulted in our striking our tent the
next morning, shouldering our "swags
tthe diggers' term for anything a man
carries on his back, and all hands started
across the country to Black Jacks, under
the guidance of the mover of the expedi-
tion and acompass. Nothing occurred on
the tramp worth mentioning, aud the
second day after leaving Peg Leg, at
about ten o'clock in the forenoon, we sat
down To have a rest and a smoke.
We were quite near the workings on
Black Jacks, ana had passed a number
of prospecting holes within the last
mile or two, but as vet had met no par
ties at wo. X, nor seen any indications of
men having been actually engaged in
washing out gold.
This is a likely looking place." said
one of our number; Z" let's open hole
here somewhere"
oh" answered another. ats no use
prospecting to-day; we may as we'll go in
among the shops. Jack, here, knows all
the stOre-keepers, and perhaps some OF
them may lay US on to some payable
ground"
So il was decided TO keep on for the
stores without stopping to prospect.
Shouldering our swags, we again started
on, expecting to shortly reach the town.
ship, which Jack assured us was not far off;
but our leader suddenly stopped, looked
keenly at our feet for moment, and then
asked, 'Do you see any pegs around
here, boysi"
No stakes Tor pegs to mark the bound
airy of claim could we see, and so he
was told.
"But why do you ask thatl" said an
other.
"Look here" said the first speaker;
somebody has been prospecting here,
and they've struck it heavy, (meaning that
rich gold had been discovered); they've
gone for their mates most likely, or per
hars for an extended claim. Right where
I'm standing is where they put down the
hole. You can see where they threw out
the dirt on that side Now, they never
put that dirt back so carefully, and scat
tered these leaves and ferns over it TO
hide it, for pothing. So here goes to
see what they got for prospect. Peg out
six mems ground, boys; and I'm going to
dig at once
And suiting the action TO the word, be
threw down his swag and commenced to
shovel out the gravel from the flled-up
hole.
We pegged out claim, and then
gathered about the hole. As our mate
threw out the loose dirt it became evil
dent that the hole had been recently
filled up, for blades Of grass and tree
leaves, thrown out from depth of sew
eral feet below the surface, were as fresh
and green as those still growing in the
vicinity.
Tell you what, boys" said the worker
as he rested on his shovel, for moment,
"this hole was sunk this morning. Won't
a.. he, 4 "A
But I'd have thought they'd have pegged
out their claim, any way. But they didn't
expect anybody to find it.
Get out of that hold and take smoke"
said Jack; "let me have a go at that
shovel
"Hold on bit," was the answer; "Ill
90 down a foot or two yet, and then you
can have a chance. We shan't have to
sink very deep here, not more'n ten or
twelve feet. But ' hat the deuce is that"
His shovel had struck piece of wood,
and, scraping off the loose dirt, he dis
closed what we at once knew to be the
handle of pickax. pss~
aThats pick-handle," said he, reply
ing TO his own question. "Whats it do
ing herel By lingo fellers, they must have
got on something good, when they've
buried their tools in the hole; we're in
luck this time, boys"
As he had by this time uncovered the
handle and one point of the pickax, he
laid his shovel out of the hole and took
mold of the buried tool to remove it out
of his way. but it did not come easily.
Its fast, some way" said he, taking
hold of II with both hands, and giving
heavy jerk. which brought it up. Il got
vou," said be, apostrophizing the pickax.
aHere, take this up out of the way, some
of YOU at the same time holding its
handle up to us who were on the surface.
His face suddenly changed its hopeful
expression for one of perplexity and dis
trust, as he looked first at his hand and
then at the pick; then he climbed hur-
riedly out of the hole.
"What's :he mstterl" aSked we, in
chorus.
"Sometkinqs the matter-J don't know
what. Look herel' at the same time ex-
tending his hand, on which appeared to
be stains of grease and blood. "Whats
that That's blood, I believe; i got it off
that pick; and the chisel point of it, the
one that was stuck down in the hole, is
srarm. There's something wrong, boys
there something here that won't bear the
light. But keep your eyes lifting; I'm
going into that hole again to see what is
there
We '1kept our eyes lifting" looking
suspiciouslv through the trees and
bushes, ard our mate again descended
into the h,le and recommended throwing
out the dirt. In few momeRts he ceased
shoveling, stood his shovel up in the
conner of the hole, and, STOPPING down,
seraped away the gravel with his hands.
@Look here, matesw said he turn
ing up a white face 0 US, ~There's
been murder here, snd no mistakel STE
fhis.-
There was m,sn's body in the hole,
and our mate had uncovered the upper
IL .---.--.al..e- l-...l.L- ii