4 feet in diameter at the center, making the…

chunk 951 · paragraph 1243

eneral search followed. The formation was porphyry and judging from the gouging done it was apparent that great quantities of precious metal had been taken out. There were no tim- bers, and the only support was one large pillar left in about the center of the working, about 4 feet in diameter at the center, making the outlook very dangerous. I was about to get out on account of a few pieces of wall rock giving away from the pillar, when I was called back by one of the miners. He had discovered a streak of solid gold, running through the center of the pillar and about two inches thick. At this I retraced my steps, and there, with candle in trembling hands stood two excited men pointing out the pure yellow gold. For a moment I was unable to speak. One of the miners said to me: ‘‘Well, don’t you see it?” “Yes,” said I, pointing to the ceiling; “and don’t you see the trap set for us?” “D the trap. This is death against gold.”Meanwhile I had fingered around the gold, when part of the pillar gave way, extinguishing the lights. V/e found our way out safely, and then we planned to get that pillar without jeopardizing our lives. I declined to having anything to do with the affair unless I could get an outside job. This of course, v/as out of the question, as there was only one sack of ore to be removed.