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.