Gold was the element that turned British Columbia's interior plateau from an unknown wilderness into a region of thriving settlements and frenetic activity. As news of its discovery fi ltered to the outside world, adventurers, opportunists and suppliers from around the globe converged on the region's new towns or built even newer ones close to their claims. Van Winkle, Swamp River, Antler and many more settlements sprang up, only to fade quickly when the glitter ran out. But two towns were vital enough to survive: Quesnel, at the confl uence of the Quesnel and Fraser rivers; and Barkerville, where many of the richest strikes were made. Th is is their story, and the story of one of the most romantic episodes in western Canadian history - the Cariboo Gold Rush. Gordon Elliott fi rst wrote this classic account of the Cariboo's early history almost fi fty years ago. Revised and reissued in 1978, it is off ered here once again, this time with a new forward by Blanca Schorcht. Elliott was one of the fi rst staff hired by Simon Fraser University when it opened in 1965. Nearly 40 years later, he continues to serve as Professor Emeritus of English at SFU. Elliott has spent many years combining his interest in history with considerable writing, research and editing skills, providing assistance and furthering the study of British Columbia history, with works including Klondike Cattle Drive and British Columbia: A Centennial Anthology.