Final answer:
Historians liken gold seekers to gamblers in a high-stakes game option (d), reflective of the risky nature of prospecting during events like the California Gold Rush.
Step-by-step explanation:
Historians compare gold seekers to D. Gamblers in a high-stakes game. This analogy is fitting because, during periods like the California Gold Rush, thousands of individuals raced to the West with the hope of striking it rich quickly, akin to gamblers betting on the chance of a big payout.
Much like gambling, prospecting for gold was a high-risk endeavor with no guarantee of success, often resulting in boom and bust cycles. Prospecting attracted those willing to stake everything on the dream of wealth, much as gamblers do, and indeed, for some, the gamble paid off, while for many others, it led to financial ruin.