Cribbens dumped the quartz fragments into a pan.
"You pestle her, pardner, an' I'll fix the scales." McTeague ground the lumps to fine dust in the iron mortar while Cribbens set up the tiny scales and got out the "spoons" from their outfit.
"That's fine enough," Cribbens exclaimed, impatiently.

"Now we'll spoon her.

Gi' me the water." Cribbens scooped up a spoonful of the fine white powder and began to spoon it carefully.

The two were on their hands and knees upon the ground, their heads close together, still panting with excitement and the exertion of their run.
"Can't do it," exclaimed Cribbens, sitting back on his heels, "hand shakes so.

YOU take it, pardner.