They went south to file their records, and returning with several more, began the development the law required.

Others followed, and the neighborhood was soon dotted with tents and discovery posts; but, for the most part, the men were satisfied with blasting a few holes in the surface of their claims.

One or two experienced miners talked to Thirlwell, and agreeing that the ore could only be reached from the ground owned by Agatha's Company, abandoned their holdings and went back; the others waited for a time, and then returned, disappointed, when their food was exhausted.
The first arrivals, however, stayed and had opened two or three rude shafts before the frost began.

Then, instead of leaving, as Thirlwell expected, they brought up provisions and built a log shack.

It was plain that they meant to hold the claims and Thirlwell was puzzled, because he saw the men were miners and thought they knew their labor was thrown away.