In 1849 the promise of gold brings many a man to California, but most find more hardship than riches.<br><br>Jesse Quinn, a golden-haired twenty-year-old is among them. He settles into the gold camp of Whiskey Slide to work with two other men in an effort that barely yields enough to keep them alive. With merchants charging exorbitant prices for provisions, it’s said men dig for food, not gold.<br><br>After hardship and disappointment, Jesse moves to another camp, Dutch Flat, where he takes up with the stern and silent Abel Munday. As the two work Abel’s claim with success, things take a positive turn for Jesse. Can Jesse bring some light into the darkness that’s plagued Abel much of his life? Together, they just might be able to fine something richer than gold.

Lust for Gold

Sleep is better when you know dawn won’t come calling like usual. We ease into Sunday, which we again find blessed with sun. As I head up the hill to take a piss, I find Dieter coming down. He passes me a smile and squeezes my shoulder. This brightens the day further.


Breakfast is pork, biscuits, and the last of the cobbler. After this, we wash ourselves, such as we can, put on clean clothes, and wash the dirty ones. It’s late afternoon when we head to the saloon.


The place is already crowded when we go in. We’re greeted by others and there’s much talk on the week’s efforts. Dieter shows his nugget around, proud until another fellow shows one twice as big.


“We’re in a good spot,” insists the fellow, and none argue, though I’d venture those coming up empty silently disagree.


Chapter 4