Frostburg mining journal., 1894-01-27
IN THE AFRICAN DlGGlNGS.
Woman's Experience In the Orange
Free state Mines,

'A "ohhahs y experience IN tne orange
Free State Mines.
The advent of woman marked an
epoch in the history of Pilgrims Rest
tSo-called because of the rest il Sug-
gcsted when the almost uncomfortable
task of reaching it had been accom-
plishcD and there were among the
diggcrs men who, long unaccustomcd
to the sight of such Il phenomenon,
could not overcome their sclf-conSciouS-
ness suihcicntly to approach within
speaking distance; and yet. consumed
with curiosity, they made observations
from the shelter of friendly rocks. en-
vying more fortunate comrades who
found presence of mind to face the un-
familiar spectacle. The privationS and
mutual dependence which are part and
parcel of the diggcr's life call into ne
ton the best phase of human char
acter, and the genial interchange of
kindly aid conduces to frank social re-
lations that are undeniably charming.
The most cordial assistance was rem
dcrcd my sister in every detail Her
tent was pitched in quiet, secluded
spot. she was advised in the selection
of Il claim, initiated into the formnli-
ties OF peggng-out and registration,
and thus found many anticipated diff
hcultics considerably amelioratcd The
cheapneSS of native labor lcSScned in
Il great degree the har,lships of livin.
at these gold fields. The AmatonyaS,
very intelligent tribe on the east
coast came in freely to work. offcrin.
their services at the rate of IL per
month. with the usual rations of mcnlic
meal. and having paid the diggcrs tax
OF five Shillngs for the month and
hired several of these natives, my sis
f.,p. f.,,, 4 ~.
life of digger She superintendent
the work of her claim herself. and in
the process of washing the diSintc-
grated soil she personally took part.
My sister lived for two years in her
llttlc canvas tent on the creek which
Sh" had i'll the meantime incloScd by
means of fence of laced boughS and
planted about with vegetables She
round gold for the most part steadily,
but only in small quantities of few
ounces at Il time. 1t existed very in
definitely and there were no indica-
tlonS that proved of the slightest value
i'll searching for it,
At one time she hit upon the ex-
prhlrnt of making her expenses bv
making ginger-beer and pastry. il diff
iicult task where kitchens are not, and
with cooking utensils of the most
Ia 'ii'''''' Nllri. llt SiSll Oh Sucn dell
cnci"S raised the livclieSt emotions in
the diggcrS. whose life condemned
them to Il monotonouS and sorry fare.
and the Katir who became the timer
ant vcndrr on these occasions grew in
tiaird with the importance it conferred
on him. He was hailed in all dircc-
tlonS. and when he could no longer
meet the demands of importunate Gus
toners he would toss the basket into
the air with Il smile of irOni,al 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 n
flavor of excitement to the monotonv
OF gold digging. This claim containcL
rich lead. from which some very fine
nuggets of almost pure gold were
taken. solid humps of metal averaging
III weight from eight ounces TO four
pounds. She was now in possession of
il moderate competency. and her sue
cess was the theme of considerable
comment throughout the entire press
of South Africa-Ccntury.