Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-02
a woman I'm the African Digging.

a woman I'm the African DiRxinK..
From the Century.
The advent of a woman marked an epoch
In the history Of Pilgrims Rest $50 called
almost uncomfortable task of reaching II
had been accomplished. and there were
among the diggers men who, long unac-
customed to the sight of such a phenome-
non. could not overcome their self-con-
seriousness sufficiently to approach within
speaking distance; and yet. consumed with
curiosity. they made observations from the
shelter Of friendly rocks. enyyins more
fortunate comrades who found presence of
mind to face the unfamiliar spectacle. The
privations and mutual dependence which
are part and parcel Of the digger's life call
into action the best phase of human char
acter and the genial interchange Of kind
ly aid conduces to frank social relations
that are undeniably charming.
The most cordial assistance was render
ed my sister in every detail; her tent was
pitched in a quiet. secluded spot: she was
advised in the selection of a claim; iniu-
ated into the formalities OF pegging -out
and registration. and thus found many an
ticipated difficulties considerably anchor
ated. The cheapness Of native labor less
ened in a great degree the hardships CT
living at these gold fields. The Amatongas.
a very intelligent tribe on the east coast
came in freely to work, Offering their ser
vices at the rate Of Fl per month, with the
usual rations of mealie meal: and having
paid the diggers tax Of shillings for the
month, and hired several of these natives
my sister found herself settled down to the
life Of digger. She superintended the
work of her claim herself, and in the pro-
cess of washing the disintegrated soil she
personally took part.
My sister lived for two years in her lit
tie canvas tent on the creek, which she had
in the mean time Enclosed 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 guam
titles of a few ounces at time. 1t existed
very indefinitely, and there were no indi-
cations that proved Of the slightest value
in searching for it.
At one time she hit upon the expedient
Of meeting her expenses by making ginger
beer and pastry, a difficult task where
kitchens are not, and with cooking uten-
sils of the most primitive kind. The sight
Of such delicacies raised the liveliest emo
lions in the diggers, whose life condemned
them to a monotonous and sorry fare. and
the Kafir who became the ttinerant vender
on these occasions grew inflated with the
Importance it conferred on him. He was
hailed in all directions, and wen he could
no longer meet the demands of importu-
nate customers. he would toss the basket
into the air with smile of ironical pity,
In the meantime several claims had passed
through my sisters hands. and the last OF
these realized some OF the expectations
the hope Of which gives a flavor OF excite
ment to the monotony of gold digging
This claim contained rich lead, from
which some very fine nuggets of almost
pure gold were taken, solid Jumps of metal
averaging in weight from eight ounces
to four pounds. She was now in posses
sion of a moderate competency, and her
success was the theme of considerable
comment throughout the entire press OF
South Africa