The Gold-Seekers: A Tale of California is a story by Gustave Aimard. Aimard was the author of numerous books about Latin America and the American frontier. Excerpt: "In Mexico things are very different. On the few high roads formerly constructed by the Spaniards, and which the neglect of the different governments that succeeded them has left in such a state that they will soon disappear completely, there stand, at long distances from each other, vast buildings which resemble fortresses, for they are nearly all surrounded by embattled and loopholed walls."