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

A rush of words fills me, but I can’t say them because they go toward how we came together, how much I cared. Chet apparently sees this and helps me.


“Dieter Hartung, we didn’t know you long, but in the time we did, we found you a fine man and good friend. Sharing labor and reward with you has been a pleasure and we honor here your unfortunate passing. You deserved more and we will carry your memory with us always.”


I start crying halfway through the speech as it says things so well. When silence follows, it feels heavy, like it’s coming up around me and will smother me if I don’t cry out. So I speak.


“Dieter, you gave so much of yourself and I am grateful to have known you as I did. Love among men is seldom spoken of, but I don’t care on that and I regret not telling you, so I’ll say it now. I loved you, Dieter Hartung, and I’ll miss you forever. You’ll never be forgotten.”


After a few minutes, Chet slips an arm around me. “Well said, Jesse.” He hands me a shovel.


Chapter 8