
E-text prepared by the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) from material generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (http://www.archive.org/details/americana)
THE CAVE OF GOLD - A TALE OF CALIFORNIA IN '49 - BY EVERETT McNEIL - AUTHOR OF "FIGHTING WITH FREMONT," "IN TEXAS WITH DAVY CROCKETT," "WITH KIT CARSON IN THE ROCKIES," ETC.
NEW YORK E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 681 Fifth Ave. - First Printing, January, 1911 Second Printing, August. 1919 Third Printing, June, 1926 Printed in the U.S.A.
TO THE DESCENDANTS YOUNG OR OLD OF THE HARDY FORTY-NINERS THIS STORY OF THE EXCITING DAYS OF THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA IS HOPEFULLY DEDICATED
FOREWORD
ILLUSTRATIONS
The Cave of Gold
CHAPTER I - EL FEROZ
CHAPTER II - DEATH OF THE MINER
CHAPTER III - THE SKIN MAP
In the fevered rush of 1849, when the news of gold on the American River sent throngs of hopeful miners into the untamed hills of California, life became a race between ambition and the unforgiving wilderness. Against a backdrop of towering pines and restless rivers, the story captures the raw energy of a nation on the brink of transformation, where every sunrise could bring fortune or disaster. The narrative invites listeners to feel the dust‑filled air, the clang of pickaxes, and the palpable tension of a world reshaped by a glittering promise.
At its heart are two determined riders, Thure and Bud, who hear a haunting scream echo from a nearby valley and are drawn into a mystery that could change their fate. Their quest leads them toward a hidden cavern whispered to hold untold riches, while the dangers of the frontier—rival claim‑jumpers, treacherous terrain, and the ever‑present threat of betrayal— loom large. The tale blends vivid historical detail with the timeless allure of adventure, offering a glimpse into the hardships and hopes that forged the American West.
Full title
The Cave of Gold A Tale of California in '49 A Tale of California in '49
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (498K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-12-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1862–1929
Best known for lively adventure stories for young readers, this American writer mixed frontier history, treasure hunts, and the occasional touch of fantasy. He was also part of the New York literary circle around H. P. Lovecraft, which gives his career an unexpected second chapter.
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