CHAPTER XIX.

_A VISIT TO A GOLD-MINE._

Gold in Siberia.--Where found.--Gold-hunting.--A prospecting party.--Thawing the ground.--Subterranean passages.--Hardships.--Mining calculations.--Building of barracks.--Preparations for our visit.--Costumes.--Road through “the forest primeval.”--Luxuriant vegetation.--Crossing mountains.--Arrival at mine.--Labour of miners.--Gold-washing machine.--Government inspection.--Wages.--Hours of labour.--Miners’ food.--Pay-day.--Drink and its follies.--Miners’ fortunes.--Mines of Eastern Siberia.--Return to Krasnoiarsk 211