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74 gold. The panfull weighed 10 oz - 15 dwt. $172.00. He had also 9 dwt more that he had gathered during the morning - making his total $179.20 - and this was the days work of a man with a lame hand. This great success set all the other miners agog. They all deserted their regular work - and were seen with their pans and trowells - puring and picking along the waters edge. But none other drew a prize out of the gold lottery. We remained at our work and though we made but $6.00 - yet did not loose an afternoons labour. What various events commingled by corresponding emotions - are occurring simultaneously in life's progress. Even while we looking at - and feeling the excitement of the lucky miner - news came to us that but a few rods down the stream - a miner had just been drowned. It was the little - clever - good humoured young Dutchman whose hole was antigous to ours. We could hardly believe the report. And he had just lost his life - nay was perhaps still struggling beneath the rapid muddy current of the river - while we were glistening over an eartly trouseau - a few particles of gold. Ah! what cross what trash to the drowning miner. The accident had happened - by his attempting to cross at the log canoe ferry. The rapidity of the current had turned over the canoe and swept him down. This is the second sudden death that has occurred a fortnight. O earth! what has thy uncertainties - to allure us so strongly. Why should in strive so strongly - why our activity. That which to day is - to morrow is gone forever. "Dangers lie thick through all our paths To bear us to the tomb._____"

Sunday December 16th 1849. Wind heavy from the eastward bringing rain again. Cheerless it was through the oaks to night. The darkness is profound. Mort (the Scotchman) has been lying beside the stove all day. I gave him some medicines - warm water to bathe in - and nourishing drinks. This little nursing made him feel much better. He asked me if I thought he would die? Poor man! it is hard to be sick in this country.