The Cariboo Trail A Chronicle of the Gold-fields of British Columbia

"The Cariboo Trail" by Agnes C. Laut is a historical narrative that recounts the dramatic gold rush era in mid-19th century British Columbia. The story follows the surge of ambitious prospectors descending upon Victoria, Vancouver Island, in 1849, with dreams of striking it rich, disrupting the established fur-trading life led by figures like Roderick Finlayson of the Hudson's Bay Company. Driven by rumors and the allure of quick fortune, these "argonauts" venture into uncharted wilderness, facing unforeseen challenges and escalating conflicts as their initial excitement gives way to lawlessness and tensions with the indigenous people, illustrating a shift from a tranquil environment to a chaotic scramble for wealth.