T'was the night before Christmas..."
well, not really, but it was getting late in the day, the back and knees were about shot and my erstwhile prospecting buddies had quit the site in favour of a glowing fire and some beers.
But then, on the 12th pan since they had left, there it was.
You little beauty!!
Not in the bottom of the pan as all the other flakes and specks had been, but sitting pretty on the discard pile.
Too big to fit through the 1/2 inch sieve and shining sweetly in the late light.
Finally something decent to bring home to the family after numerous underwhelming trips out west!
I tried to maintain a casual air back at camp, as my mates kindly thrust beers at me, until I cheerily rattled the finds jar.
WTF!?
"must be a rusty bolt"
"You put a rock in there"
Let's just say there were a few swear words uttered when the heavy metal was dropped into shaking palms!
The site was duly hammered the following day, but to no avail, sometimes you just get lucky

keep looking folks!