The morning call., 1893-09-24
IN THE AFRICAN DIGGINGS.
A WOman's Experience i'm the Orange
Free State Mines.
Century Magazine.

century Magazine.
The advent OF woman marked an
epoch in the history of Pilgrims Rest ESQ
called because of the rest it suggested W hen
the almost unconquerable task o. reaching
it had been aceompliShed), and there were
among the diggers men who, long uDac-
customed to the sight Of such phenome-
non. could not overcome their self-con-
sciousness sufficiently to approach within
speaking distance: and vet, consumed
with curiosity. they made observations
from the shelter OF friendly rocks, eDvying
more fortunate comrades who found
presence of mind 10 face the unfamiliar
spectacle. The privations and mutual de-
pendence which are part and parcel of the
diggaI's life call into action the best phase
of human character, and the genial inter
change of kindly aid conduceS to frank
social relations that are undeniably
charming
The most cordial assistance was rem
dered my sister in every detail Her tent
was pitched in quiet. secluded spot. she
was advised in the selection of claim,
initiated into the fOrmalilies of pegging
out and registration, and thus found many
anticipated difficulties considerably ameli-
GRATED. The cheapness of native labor
lessened in q great degree the hardships of
living al these gold fields. The Amaton-
gas, very intelligent tribe on the east
coast. came In freely to work. offering
their services al the rate of 2l per month.
with the usual rations of mealie metal
and having paid the digger's tax of five
shillings for the month and hired several
OF these natives. my sister found herself
settled down TO the life OF digger. She
supeTintended the work of her claim her
self. and In the process of washing the dis
integrated soil she personally took part
v gfa nr -
canvas tent on the creek, which she had in
the meantime inciosed by means OF a fence
of laced bOughs and planted about with
vegetables. She found gold for the most
part steadily. but only in small quantities
of a few ounces at time. 1t existed very
Indefinitely and there were no indications
that proved of the slightest value in search
ing for it.
At one time she hit upon the expedient
OF making her expenses by making ginger
beer and pastry, a difficult task where
kitchens are not and with cooking utensils
of the most primitive kind. The sight of
Such dellcacles raised the liyeiest emo
tions in the diggers. whose life condemned
them TO monOton0us and sorry fare, and
the kahr who became the ltinerant vender
on these occasions grew inflated with the
Importance it conferred on BIN. He was
hailed in all directions, and when he could
no longer meet the demands of importun-
ate customers he would toss the basket
into the air with smile of ironical pity.
In the meantiDle several claims had
passed through nv listers hands, and the
last of iEess realize. scnae of the expecta-
lions the hope of which gives flavor of
excitement to the monotony of gold dig
ging. This claim contained a rich lead,
from which some very fine nuggets of al
most pure gold were taken, solid Jumps of
metal averaging in weight from eight
ounces TO four pounds. She was in possess
sion of moderate competency, and her
success was the theme of considerab bic
comment throughout the entire press of
South Africa.