CHAPTER III.

ADVENTURES OF EARLY PROSPECTORS.

The Mysterious Brothers—What was found in a Shaft—Pike’s Great Discovery—“Stuff they Make Compasses of”—Wonderful travelling Stones. 33

WHAT THEY DISCOVERED.

“That Blasted Blue Stuff”—“Old Pancake”—A Discovery—John Bishop’s Story—Unearthly Treasure. 39

Discovery of the Great Comstock—What they threw Away—Old Pancake Arrives—Questionable Rights—Sold and “Sold”—Locking up “Old Virginia.” 47

THE DISCOVER OF SILVER.

“Old Pancake’s” Weakness—Naming the town—An Astounding Disclosure—Going to the Diggings—A Grand Discovery. 55

REMINISCENCES OF EARLY MINING-DAYS.

The Old Record Book—Strange Notices—Curious Houses—A Modern Robinson Crusoe—Before the World—Mills and Arastras. 61