
In the rugged goldfields of Oregon, a restless miner named Tom Brixton wrestles with a habit that threatens to ruin him. By day he swings a pickaxe, but by night he chases luck at the dusty saloon, betting his hard‑won nuggets against a hulking gambler called Gashford. When a wager goes badly wrong and Gashford walks off with Tom’s winnings, the young man vows to take back what he believes is rightfully his—by any means necessary.
His steadfast companion, Fred Westly, tries to temper Tom’s fury with quiet counsel and a modest loan, urging a more measured path. Together with the ever‑cheerful cook Paddy, they share simple meals and stories while the river rushes nearby, a reminder of the untamed world they inhabit. As tensions rise, listeners are drawn into a tale of ambition, friendship, and the thin line between daring and desperation.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (401K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2007-06-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1825–1894
A Scottish adventure writer whose stories of survival, exploration, and moral courage thrilled generations of young readers. Best known for The Coral Island, he drew on real experience and a gift for vivid storytelling to bring distant worlds to life.
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