Miner On a Prospecting Tour

A truthful and characteristic picture of a miner starting off on a prospecting tour. He looks over his shoulder at us with a self satisfied air, and strides off like a steam engine. He is fully equipped, having all the tools necessary for making a thorough examination of the ground which he designs to prospect.
From the discovery of the gold until the summer of 1849, a pan and knife were the only tools the digger would use. With these he proceeded to some ledge overhanging the mountain current, and commenced chipping off loose pieces of slate rock, thus working his way into the crevices, where the glittering lumps lie.