Abab. 14 beats per line. The meter is mixed. The meter is intentionally stumbling in the second stanza to imply a difficult descent at that point as though impeded by obstacles. (or, I couldn't do it any better! hahaha)
The Mojave Desert is the site of many mining claims. There are prospectors out there to this day, panning and digging for gold.
It is said among the old timers that legend holds there is a cave that leads to a river of molten gold that runs beneath the desert. If you find it, you can smell the gold flowing below. All you have to do is dive in and it is all yours. It is a long ways down. It's a dangerous drop and many have died trying. Many think that it's a test of greed and that the Devil waits below.
Of course, some writer probably just made that up...

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