THE CAPE : UNSUCCESSFUL DIAMOND . HUNTING.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4236, 13 March 1871, Page 2

THE CAPE : UNSUCCESSFUL DIAMOND . HUNTING.

The Queen's Town Free Prebs has the following : — "On Friday afternoon we were attracted by the appearance of four dis-consolate-looking individuals, on their way home unsuccessful from the diamond-fields. These poor fellows give a sad account of their adventures. They were Germans. Five of them left King William's Town about three months ago, in high ylee, for the diamond-fields, hearing they could get work on the spot at from Bs. to 10s. a day. Arrived at the diggings, no employment was to be got. They then turned into a claim at the Good Hope find, and worked hard for six weeks without succesg. Food getting scarce they sold horses, saddles, bridles, and everything else, except their revolvers, these being reserved to defend the diamonds they expected to find, or to obtain food on their return home. At this stage they offered their services at Is. 6d. a day, but could find none to employ. They then sold a revolver to provide food for four, who resolved to return. They were three days without nourishment, between the Diamond Fields and the Orange River, the farmers refusing them food though they offered the money for it. While working at their claim, four or five unsuccessful ' seekers' from Cape Town, who were without food, asked for salt, and offered some clothing for it. They did not like to distress others, as they were in distress themselves. They gave the Cape party a little salt, and saw them cut a steak from an ox that had been lying dead four days, and cook and eat it as only hungry men can do. Such is the unvarnished tale of the 'unsuccessful diggers.'"