EXCITING SCENE. 
97 
around the margin. Several experiments were tried without 
success, and it was soon apparent that the speculation was to 
prove disastrous. The operations were managed without sys¬ 
tem or discretion. The “faithful” having a majority, had it all 
their own way; and they managed as seemed best calculated to 
victimize the “Gentiles.” As the sequel will show, they were 
drawn into the same vortex. I had hired a man to work my 
share, but the dividends did not pay his wages, and it was appa¬ 
rent that we must dissolve the company, and each man work or 
abandon his share as he saw fit. It was proposed to divide the 
bar into equal shares, to be drawn by numbers representing 
them; the u faithfulf however, opposed this mode of distribu¬ 
tion; they were in favor of going on, and each getting all he 
could; each to be allowed ten feet in width, wherever he might 
locate his machine. They having canalled and worked the bar, 
knew every foot of it, and the relative richness of the different 
parts. The “ Gentiles” saw no alternative but to be victimized, 
as they must submit to the majority, and it being Lyman’s mo¬ 
tion it was sure to carry. The place of deliberation was at the 
tents on the side of the mountain, some distance from the bar, 
and as the work had been suspended for several days, many of 
the implements had been carried up. 
There was an unusual anxiety and excitement on this partic¬ 
ular occasion, and as the vote was about to be taken, first the 
implements, then the bar would be scanned, with marked 
solicitude; the clenched hand and determined gesture giving 
token of the fearful struggle that was at hand. The vote was 
given; each man “broke loose ” for the bar as if his life de¬ 
pended upon the exertion of the moment; some with machines 
on their shoulders, others laden with shovels, tin pans, pick- 
axes, India rubber boots, and spades, all rushing down, pell- 
mell, some crossing the canal on the log, others, finding the log 
full, would rash in and wade, or swim across; the implements 
of some, coming in contact with others, all would tumble in to 
meet again at the bottom. Any one who has witnessed a charge 
in battle, can form a faint idea of the confusion and excitement 
on this occasion. The vanquished, however, instead of being 
drenched in blood were drenched in water, and instead of 
broken bones, cries of the wounded, the beating of drums, 
7 
