The San Francisco call., 1898-06-11
BRITISH COLUMBIA BONANZA
RETURN LADEN WITH YELLOW
 SEAMED QUARTZ.
Claim They Discovered an Fl Dorado After the Death of Their Guide Had Been
 Decreed.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

VANCOUVER, June 10.-One of the toughest looking parties that ever came out of the gold regions reached here last night and stopped at the Granville Hotel. Their clothes were in tatters, their hands and faces blistered terribly by the sun, and their frames mere skeletons. Their outfit consisted solely of a few firearms and several bulgy looking canvas sacks. In spite of their woe-begone appearance the strangers seemed cheerful and if the story they tell is true they have every reason to be.
 The sacks contained quartz which upon being assayed here went $900 to the ton, and they claim it was not picked. Theirs Is the most marvellous story ever brought rom the gold regions. It seems almost incredible, but every member of the party tells it with an air of sincerity
 In January last Ferguson Melville, M. E., R. M. Ferguson of Seattle, John Gardiner of Boston and Henry Condon of Minneapolis started from Seattle for the Cariboo country to discover the mother lode. They had abundant provisions and good outfit They reached Ashcroft in February and struck due north. At the Indian village of Pan Yan on the trail they met young buck named Charles Brunei, graduate of the Carlisle Indian College, Pennsylvania, and a cousin of Sitting Bull, who stated he could guide them to mountain of gold 300 miles north.
 The party jumped at the bait and the Indian led them a weary march 400 miles north, toward what Is known as the un- explored country. Day after day the party was kept in complete ignorance of their location and depended solely on Brunei The latter kept up their hopes by stories of the golden mountain, and lured them further into the wilds. Dis aster followed the party, for in forling mountain stream they lost most of their outfit. When sixty days out of Ashcroft they began to suspect the Indian and threatened him with death If gold was not found within three days. Brunei then struck due west, toward the coast range. For a week the men travelled with little food, and became mere skeletons. Twice they were attacked by grizzly bears, and a night watch was kept to guard against mountain lions and wolves, which were numerous.
 At the expiration of three days grace given the Indian, and upon his failure to find any gold, the party held a coun- ell of war and decided to shoot him. The buck held to his original story and showed no signs of fear. This was three weeks ago and the party was then near the coast range. Another day was given the Indian and he used it in taking them to an immense body of rock on the shore of small lake about 200 miles north of this city.
 There he pointed out what appeared to be glittering gold on the surface of the rocks. Two of the party, inexperienced miners, fairly hugged the Indian, and were about to gather in the supposed vast riches, when Melville told them that it was but "tenderfoot pride,'' a bicarbonate of mica.
 Now comes the strangest part of their strange trip. The death of the Indian was fully decided upon, and one of the party was deputed to shoot him. He was to die at nightfall. During the day Mel vile prospected around the spot, and he claims to have made marvellous find not 100 yards from where the false gold was found. He brings his $l0O in quartz to substantiate his story.
 Needless to say the Indians life was saved, and the party gathered consider able quartz and started for civilization, reaching here last night. They estimate they have travelled 800 miles of rough country and have fairly cornered a good fortune. Melville, of course, will not tell the location of his find.
 The men will return next week and ex- pect to remain until next December. Bru- ne1, in Indian fashion, got drunk after reaching here, and the others are keeping guard over him to see that he does not reveal their secret to outsiders.