mountains at the time (1848) when California had
just come into the possession of the United States. While at work
he noticed some shining grains in the sand of the mill-race. A
little testing of the grains led him to the conclusion that they
were gold.

The news spread rapidly over the world, and since that time a constantly
increasing tide of gold-seekers has been pushing out into the unexplored
portions of the earth. Comparatively few of these men have become
wealthy, but their discoveries have led to the settlement of new
regions and to the growth of important industries. In truth, if
it were not for the deposits of valuable metals, large areas of
the desert and mountainous West would be of small value.

[Illustration: FIG. 96.--A PROSPECTOR IN THE DESERT]

The prospector needs little capital except health and strength, but
he must be willing to lead a rough life. He will be more likely to
succeed if he knows something about the different kinds of minerals
and rocks, and is able to distinguish the valuable ones from those
which are of little or no worth.

The prospector may have a pack-horse and a second horse to ride, or
he may go afoot with merely two burros to carry blankets, provisions,
and tools. A burro costs little and will live upon almost anything.
The variety of food that can be carried is not large; such things
as bacon, flour, sugar, beans, and coffee are the most important.
With the rifle one may frequently add to the supply. This, you may
think, is pretty hard fare, but life in the open air will make
one hungry enough to relish almost any sort of food.

The prospector does not need a road or even a trail. He seeks the
least-known portion of some mountain district where he has an idea
that gold may be found. Through the canons he goes, and over the
mountains, either on horseback or driving the burros before him.
Water and grass are usually abundant, and the little cavalcade
stops where night overtakes it. In the desert prospecting is more
difficult and often dangerous, because of the scarcity of water.
It is necessary to know the location of the few scattered springs,
and to make one of the burros useful in carrying water kegs. A
spring must be the starting-point in the morning, and a sufficient
amount of water must be taken to last until the traveller can get
back to the same spring or until he can reach another.

A pick, a shovel, and a hammer are among the most important parts
of the prospect