Summary

Twelve men gather in the smoking room of the Crown Hotel. Some are nicely dressed, while others are wearing frayed cuffs. Walter Moody walks into this room of men who, upon hearing him coming, have stopped conversing. They show Moody no interest when he enters the room. Moody is preoccupied because he has had a terrible voyage from Port Chalmer.

Moody has barely taken a seat after obtaining a drink when he is addressed by one of the men. Moody tells him that he is just off the boat and has come on his own. Thomas Balfour, who owns Balfour Shipping, is intent on learning if Moody has any business at the Crown. Moody assures him that he is only at the hotel to stay while he makes preparations to become a gold miner. All of the...