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

“I won’t miss Whiskey Slide,” I tell Chet as I shake his hand.


“Good luck,” he returns and I climb into the wagon. Two men sit up front while three of us ride in back with our gear. When we get moving, I don’t look back.


It’s rough going with roads so bad. We get stuck so often that we elect to walk alongside as we descend the foothills. It takes most of a day to reach flat ground, and even then, it doesn’t stay flat. The countryside has a rolling tendency, low hills covered in green grass horses love.


Chapter 9