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

“No, thanks. You’ve come a fair piece. Best rest up because we’ll start work at sunup.”


I take a chair and watch him work. He seems comfortable rolling dough and I wonder did his mother teach him or has he picked this up of necessity in the camps? Of course I think back to Chet’s good cooking, pleased that I may be in for more of that. Unfortunately, this brings Dieter to mind and for some minutes it’s him I see at the stove. An ache fills me, and when the image fades, I find myself in the wrong cabin with the wrong man.


Chapter 12