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los tomar, cubiertas todas de muy gruesos cueros, y traianlos à sus cuevas, y alli los criaban. Y siendo ya igualados, cebábanlos en aquellos hombres y en los niños que parian, tantas veces y con tales artes, que muy bien conocian à ellas, y no les hacían ningun mal. Cualquiera varon que en la isla entrase, luego por ellos era muerto y comido; y aunque hartos estuviesen, no dejaban por eso de los tomar y alzarlos arriba, volando por el aire, y cuando se enojaban de los traer, dejábanlos caer donde luego eran muertos. Pues al tiempo que aquellos grandes hombres de los paganos partieron con aquellas tan grandes flotas como la historia vos ha ya contado, reiñaba en aquella isla California una reina muy grande de cuerpo, muy hermosa para entre ellas, en floreciente edad, deseosa en su pensamiento de acabar grandes cosas, valiente en esfuerzo y ardid de su bravo corazon, mas que otra ninguna de las que antes della aquel señorio mandaron. Y oyendo decir cómo toda la mayor parte del mundo se movia en aquel viaje contra los cristianos, no sabiendo ella que cosa era cristianos, ni teniendo noticia de otras tierras, sino aquellas que sus vecinas estaban, deseando ver el mundo y sus diversas generaciones, pensando que con la gran fortaleza suya y de las suyas, que de todo le que se ganase habria por fuerza ó por grado la mayor parte, habló con todas aquellas que en guerra diestras estaban, que seria bueno que, entrando en sus muy grandes flotas, siguiesen aquel viaje que aquellos grandes principes y altos hombres seguian; animándolas y esforzándolas, poniendoles delante las muy grandes honras y provechos que de tal camino seguirseles podrian, sobre todo con muy grande fama que por toda el mundo dellas seria sonada, que estando así en aquella isla, haciendo no otra cosa sino la que sus antecesores hicieron, no era sino estar como sepultadas en vida, como muertas viviendo, pasando sus dias sin fama, sin gloria, como los animales brutos hacien.

Tantas cosas les dijo aquella muy esforzada reina Calafia, que no solamente movió á sus gentes á consentir en el tal camino, mas ellas, con mayor deseo que sus famas por muchas partes divulgadas fuesen, le daban priesa que entrase en la mar luego, porque se hallesan en las afrentas, juntas con aquellos tan grandes hombres. La Reina, que la voluntad de las suyas vido, sin mas dilatar, mandó bastecer su grande flota de viandas y de armas todas de oro, y de todo lo demás necesario, y mandó reparar la mayor fusta de las suyas, hecha á manera de una red de gruesa madera, y hizo en ella meter hasta quinientos grifos, que, como ya se vos dijo, desde pequeños mandó criar y cebar en los hombres; y haciendo allí meter las bestias en que cabalgaban, que de diversas maneras eran, y todas las mas escogidas mujeres y mejor armadas que tenia en la flota, dejando tal recaudo en la isla con que segura quedase, y metióse ella las otras en la mar; y dióse tanta priesa, que llegó á las flotas de los paganos aquella noche que se os dijo del combate; con que todos ellos hubieron muy gran placer, y luego fué visitada de aquellos grandes señores, haciendole muy grande acatamiento. Ella quiso saber en qué estado estaba su hecho, rogándoles mucho que por extenso se lo contasen, y oida la relacion dello, dijo: "Vosotros habies combatido esta ciudad con vuestras grandes gentes, y no la pudístes tomar; pues yo con las mias, si á vosotros pluguiere, quiero el dia siguiente probar mis fuerzas á que bastarán, si quisieredes estar á mi consejo." Todos aquellos grandes señores le dijeron que como por ella fuese señalado, que asi lo mandarian cumplir.

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"Pues enviad luego á todos los otros capitanes que por ninguna manera salgan mañana ellos ni los sujos de sus estancias, hasta que por mi les sea mandado, y veréis un combate el mas extraño que hasta hoy nunca vistes, ni de que jamás oistes hablar." Esto fué luego hecho saber al gran soldan de Liquia y al soldan de Halapa, que tenia cargo de todas las huestes que estaban en la tierra; los cuales así lo mandaron á todas sur gentes, maravillándose mucho á qué podria acudir el pensamiento y obra de aquella reina.

TRANSLATION.

The Exploits of the very valiant Knight Esplandian, son of the excellent King Amadis of Gaul.-Madrid, 1521.]

CHAPTER CLVII.

The marvelous and not thought of succor with which the Queen Catafia came to the Port of Constantinople in favor of the Turks.

I wish you now to know a thing the most strange which ever either in writing or in people's memory could be found, by which the city was the following day on the point of being lost, and how from there where the danger came, salvation came to it. Know then that to the right hand of the Indies, there was an island called California, very near the part of the terrestrial Paradise, and which was inhabited by black women, without there being among them even one man, that their style of living was almost like that of the Amazons. They were of robust bodies and valiant and ardent hearts and of great strength; the island itself was the strongest that could be found in the world through its steep and wild rocks; their arms were all of gold and also the harness of the wild beasts on which they rode after taming them, as there was no other metal in the whole island; they dwelled in well-finished caves; they had many ships in which they went to other parts to obtain booty, and the men whom they made prisoners they took along, killing them in the way you shall hear further on. And sometimes, when they were at peace with their adversaries, they used to mingle with them with entire confidence; if any of them gave birth to a son, he was put to death at once. The reason for it, as it was known, was because in their thoughts they were resolved to lessen the men to so small a number that they would be able to master them without much trouble, with all their lands, and preserve those who would understand that it was convenient to do so that the race might not perish.

In this island, called California, there were a great many griffins, the like, on account of the ruggedness of the land and the very many wild beasts therein contained, were not found in any other part of the world: and when they had little ones, these women would go covered with thick skins to catch them by tricks, and they would bring them to their caves and there rear them; and when they were accustomed to them, they would feed them with those men and with the male children they bore, so often and with such cunning that they very well learned to know them, and never did them any harm. Any man who landed on the island was at once killed and eaten by them; and though they might be glutted, they would not the less take them and lift them up, flying through the air, and when tired of carrying them, they would let them fall, where they would be killed at once. Well, at the time when those great men of the pagans departed with those large fleets, as history has already told you, there reigned in said Island California a Queen very tall of stature, very handsome for one of them, of blooming age, desiring in her thoughts to do great deeds, valiant in spirit, and in cunning of her fearless heart, more so than any of the others that before her reigned in that seigniory. And having heard how the greatest part of the world was moving in that expedition against the Christians, she, not knowing what beings were the Christians, nor having any knowledge of other countries except those which were next to hers, wishing to see the world and its different races, thinking that with her great valor and that of her adherents all that would be gained she would have, by force or by cunning, the largest share of, she spoke with all those that were skillful in war, telling them that it would be well that, going in their great fleets, they should follow the same road that those great princes and eminent men were taking, inciting and encouraging them by laying before them the very great honor and gain that might result to them from that undertaking; above all, the great fame that would resound in the whole world about them; that remaining in the island as they were, doing nothing but what their ancestors had done, would be only to be buried in life, like living dead, passing their days without fame and without glory, like wild animals.

So many things said to them by that very valiant Queen Calafia, that she not only moved her people to consent to the undertaking, but they, with their great desire that their fame should be published in many parts, hurried her to put to sea at once, so as to happen to be in the danger jointly with those great men. The Queen, who saw the determination of her people, ordered her great fleet to be supplied with provisions, and with arms all of gold and with all other necessaries; and she ordered the repairing of her largest vessel, made like a grate of thick timbers, and she had put into her up to five hundred griffins, which, as you have been told, she had raised from tender age and fed with the flesh of men, and having therein also put the animals on which they rode, and which were of different kinds; also, the best chosen and best armed women which were in the fleet, and, leaving such garrison in the island as to be secure, she put to sea with the others, and she hurried so much that she joined the fleets of the pagans the night of the combat, of which you have been told, which caused them all very great pleasure, and then she was visited by those great lords, who showed her great reverence. She wanted to know in what state was their enterprise, begging them to relate it to her minutely; and having heard the report from them, she said: "You have fought this city with your many people and could not take it; well, I with mine, if it is agreeable to you, will, on the following day, try the reach of my power, if you will accept my advice." All those great lords answered her, that whatever was by her indicated, they would order it executed. "Then notify at once all the other commanders that to-morrow, on no account, they nor theirs leave their quarters, until it is so ordered by me, and you shall see a fight the most strange never seen before this day, and of which you never have heard spoken." This was then made known to the great Sultan of Liquia and the Sultan of Halapa, who had charge of all the armies which were on land, and who thus ordered their people, wondering much what could be the thought and deed of that Queen.

GENERAL CONDITION OF MINING IN CALIFORNIA.

California is just emerging from a condition of things that will be remembered for many years to come with regret and astonishment, and which will pass to history as one of those periodic manias which come over mankind like a calamity and shake the very foundations of society.

If the majority of the people of the Pacific Coast should be informed that instead of having been engaged in mining, they have simply been gambling, and have in the most foolish manner possible, given up their money to a comparatively few unscrupulous and dishonest sharpers, they would be slow to admit the fact, yet perhaps in the annals of history, there has never been such a wholesale transfer of money from a multitude of pockets to a few, without consideration, under the deceptive but fascinating name of mining.

Stock gambling is in no sense mining. It is a favorite excuse by those who have lost their savings in this way, to say sadly, "I invested all my

money in mines and lost it," which most of them did not, but bought worthless stocks instead. To recount the most successful deceptions that have been practiced to induce those who had money to invest it in stocks, would fill many pages and leave much more to be said. Still honest gold and silver mining presents the best field for the investment of capital of any business in California, for the following reasons:

Gold is becoming scarce, and consequently its purchasing power is greater than it has been for many years. The market for gold is in no way dependent on the population of the Pacific Coast; while a large population is essential to render manufacturing successful. We can produce gold with perfect confidence that the market of the world will gladly take all we are willing to spare, and in return will manufacture for us cheaper than we can hope or desire to do for ourselves.

Mines can now be worked in California at a much less cost than during the delirium of the first gold excitement, for the reason that transportation, provisions, labor, and fuel are cheaper; and every ounce of gold obtained is practically of double value. These facts are well known to intelligent miners in the State, and our mines are being better worked than ever before. New quartz veins are being taken up wherever they can be found; and there are indications of a new era in mining, which, it is to be hoped, will cause renewed prosperity in the State, even if we cannot utilize our vast deposits of placer gold.

MINING ECONOMIES.

Within a few years railroad lines have been extended and settlements advanced. Ores that could only be worked if they would yield from twenty-five to fifty dollars per ton are now found to be rich, as they can be mined and milled at a very reduced expense. Dump piles, formerly considered worthless, are now valued at many thousands of dollars. Tailings, allowed to go to waste in former years, are now being prospected and assayed. The concentration of these tailings will furnish employment for many men in the near future.

When on a large scale gold quartz has been crushed in quartz mills, a sandy powder passes through the screens and over the amalgamating copper plates. Theoretically the gold contained in the quartz remains attached to the mercury; what flows away (which is nearly all that passes the screens) is known among miners as tailings. If the operation of milling was as perfect in practice as in theory, the tailings would be worthless, but this is not the case; not only does a considerable quantity of gold escape, but mercury also. The sulphurets, which are nearly always auriferous, are not decomposed in the operation, and carry their precious contents with them to the beds of the streams below the mills, or to the reservoirs, which the most prudent of superintendents or managers provide for the reception of the tailings. The ordinary quartz mill saves only free gold, and even a portion of that escapes, owing to defective milling, and the sometimes peculiar condition of the gold, which has been before referred to in these reports. Mercury is used in the batteries, and on the plates, but, notwithstanding the skill acquired by the amalgamators, and the experience of many years in California, a considerable portion escapes, taking gold with it that had already become amalgamated. To prevent this well known loss many ingenious inventors have spent years of their lives and much money in the construction of machines and in the planning of processes, many of which have been patented, until the art of concentration has reached a point approaching perfection. But there is still

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room for improvement. There is a great future in California for the concentration of tailings and low grade ores which were wasted during the time of excitement, when it was found to be more profitable to extract gold and silver from the pockets of the credulous than from the mines. this connection it is interesting to note that companies are now engaged, with large capital, in working the lead slags of Laurium in Greece, and other ancient mines in Spain, and with great profit.

The following newspaper extracts have a special bearing on this subject:

In cleaning up in quartz mills a lot of scraps of iron are always found, consisting of fragments from shoes, dies, shovels, picks, hammers, and drills; and these lumps are knocked about in the mortar until numerous particles of gold are driven into their interstices. A lot of such scraps collected in the Jefferson Mill, in Yuba County, supposed to weigh half a ton, after being broken up with sledges, were digested in warm sulphuric acid until the surface had been eaten away and the gold liberated, and the yield thus obtained was $3,000. The shoes and dies, being too large to be broken up or digested in acid, were boiled half an hour in water, and then when the iron was repeatedly struck with a hammer, the particles of gold dropped out.

The Pennsylvania Company have run a lot of tailings, formerly considered worthless, through one of Wheeler & Randall's grinding pans, and cleaned up eighty-four ounces of amalgam, worth $5 per oz.

In some comments yesterday on the new drift of mining industries, the more extreme instances of the working of low grade ores were not cited. In Calaveras County during the last two years more than eighty thousand tons of quartz rock have been worked by one mill, the yield of which rock was less than two dollars a ton. And yet this mine was worked at a profit-the yield per ton ranging from one dollar and eighty cents up to about one dollar and ninety-five cents. The assays show that the rock carried more gold. But this is all that could be saved by any process now known. Of course, when the yield per ton is so small, there must be many advantages of working. The quartz must be abundant, and there must be no long land transportation. It would appear from these and other facts that low grade gold quartz can be worked with as much advantage now in California as in Australia, or in any other part of the world. These facts are of special importance just now, while fresh attention has been turned to gold quartz mining in Californía. Gold bearing ledges will not hereafter be neglected because of low grade ores. Nothing comes amiss now in that way from two-dollar ore in good situations up to twenty-dollar quartz in more remote and less accessible districts.

The value of the gold in the tailings not only of the quartz mines, but the hydraulic mines, is something enormous. It is considered by the most practical miners in California that at least one half the gold in placer mining is lost-or, rather, not saved. The loss of mercury may be reckoned by hundreds, if not thousands, of tons. This can to a great extent be recovered by reworking and concentration. This subject is well worthy the attention of laborers and capitalists.

IMPORTANCE OF GOLD AND GOLD MINING.

It cannot be denied that the love of gold is widespread, intense, and universal. It is vain to argue that gold is not an absolute necessity-to say that we cannot eat or wear it; that it is heavy and cumbersome-for we learn both in ancient and modern history that from the earliest ages mankind would sacrifice almost everything else for gold, and would even risk their lives to obtain it. The producers of all other staples, and the manufacturers of all articles of use and luxury, will gladly transport them from the ends of the earth and lay them at the feet of the miner in exchange for his yellow gold.

During a golden age, such as that through which we have just passed, real and personal property increase enormously. Without gold it would be impossible that there should be so many men possessing great wealth,

known as millionaires. The country that produces, holds, or utilizes the most gold, makes the greatest progress, and advances most rapidly in civilization and power. The discovery of gold in California stimulated commerce and manufactures and general progress more than any event in modern history, and its effect was felt over the whole civilized world. Without it the Pacific railroads would not so soon have been built, nor would the advancement of the Pacific Coast have been so rapid.

There has never perhaps been a period when labor has been so well paid and the world progressed as during the recent golden age, for in all former gold excitements the precious metal was extracted by slave or convict labor, and enriched kings instead of the people. While it is true that the thirst for gold brings in its train many evils, it must also be admitted that it is productive of much good. It begins to be realized by the world generally what a powerful lever or motor gold is to commerce, manufactures, and trade; that on the product of distant gold fields depends the rise and fall of prices, including salaries, in countries not producing gold, and whether trade and manufactures shall thrive or languish. In the United States the importance of our gold production is too often wholly disregarded, or but slightly considered.

Gold is true wealth. It cannot be destroyed by fire or by the action of ordinary chemical agents, and will always command its bullion value in whatever state or condition it may be. It is not only wealth in itself, but is the accepted measure of all other values. There is no other description of real property that can be so readily turned to account as gold. It seeks no market; on the contrary, all branches of trade and commerce seek it.

In digging for gold, the most desired of all products, natural or artificial, the miner becomes a consumer of all other products, and has at the same time the power to purchase them, conditions which render trade or barter most active. In the exchange of commodities-the business of the merchant-nothing is produced; the world is accommodated, but actual wealth is not increased. So with the manufacturer. He adds to the value of the crude material, but adds nothing to the actual wealth of the world. The agriculturist also produces what is consumed as food, and must be reproduced from the same source. But the real wealth of the world is derived from its crude products, generally dependent upon mining. The checking of gold mining, then, in our State, becomes a very serious matter, and affects not only California, but the United States and the world. Since it can be shown that our great and exceptional prosperity for many years was owing to the advantage we derived from our prolific gold fields, is it not more. than possible that we have made a great mistake in crippling the most important producers, the gold miners?

The failure of any legitimate harvest is felt far beyond the area of its production. Thus the sudden cessation of the cotton crop in the Southern States, during the civil war, was the cause of great and widespread destitution among the mill operatives of Great Britain. In the same way the decrease of the gold crop of California not only places the people of our State at great disadvantage, but is felt in the general depression of business and the stringency of the money market in the country at large.

When the supply of gold diminishes suddenly, there follows a series of financial crises, so calamitous and far reaching that the most distant lands suffer in common with us. It can be shown that the present shrinkage in values, which is distressing the laboring classes at home and abroad, is the direct result of this decrease of gold, and is only a repetition of what has occurred many times in history under similar conditions.

If you ask ten men of average intelligence the cause of the present

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