OCR Text |
Show 212 PERSONAL ADVENTURES separate from the party without the general consent. "3. That, in case of unavoidable separation, each person be allow·ed to take out an amount of goods or money equivalent to the original investment, less what he may have consumed or injured. " 4. That we work together in the mines, using the tools and property of the party in common. "5. That each man be allowed to retain all he can make by digging, but that be shall contribute to the company his equal portion of the funds necessary for the purchase of food and other things for the common use. " 6. That in case of difficulty or danger, we stand by each other under all circumstances. '' 7. That no sick man shall be abandoned, but every possible means adopted to restore him to health. "8. That each man, in his turn, shall do his share of the general work, namely, cooking, attending to the horses, chopping wood, fetching water, &c. '' 9. That any member separating himself IN CALIFORNIA. 213 from the party without the general consent shall forfeit all that he has invested, unless such portion of it as the company may choose to award to him, to assist him in joining another party, or in seeking new ' diggings.' " 10. That any man proved guilty of stealing from or robbing any member of his company shall be immediately expelled, and forfeit the whole of his property." Such is a correct outline of the kind of agreement by which the gold-hunters bound themselves, before proceeding to the mines. Some of these contracts were, however, sornewhat at variance with the habits and practices of the contracting parties: one company, for instance, the mem hers of which were distinguished for dishonesty and drunkenness, fully appreciating the advantages to a cornmunity of probity and sobriety, subscribed to two rules specially introduced; one of which was to the effect, that, at the close of each day's work, they should severally place the product of their labour in one cornmon fund, to be afterwards divided into equal shares, |