In August 1848, the exciting news that gold has been discovered in California reaches Chile. Since the proximity of Valparaíso to San Francisco gives Chileans a head start over Europeans and New Yorkers in staking claims, “the wildfire of greed flared immediately among Chileans, who had the souls of miners” (121). The well-organized Feliciano decides to depart for the gold fields with five of his best workers. His wife, Paulina, shocks Feliciano with her business acumen when she proposes to buy a steamship, which surpasses the speed of sailing ships, and hire Captain John to command it. The visionary Paulina explains that the real money will be made via the miners’ need of transport.

Joaquín views California gold mining as his only way out of poverty, his only chance to help his mother, and his only hope of proudly being able to ask Jeremy for Eliza’s hand in marriage. Joaquín and Eliza have been lovers for three months, but Joaquín writes fewer and fewer poetic letters to her. Both Joaquín’s mother and Eliza warn Joaquín of the dangers of pursuing an imaginary fortune in California and protest that they will die if he leaves. Convinced that the California scheme is his only possibility, Joaquín carries out a desperate plan to pay for his voyage and supplies.