human
But we are getting off the track, remarked Fellows.
gpt
We were talking about what I was likely to be doing; and on that point, I will frankly confess, I have not yet made up my mind.
human
Then don’t be in any hurry to do that which may involve a life-long repentance,
gpt
Changing the subject, remarked Fellows,
human
What? as to going to the Yukon?
gpt
Yes.
human
Why, I think if they are wise they’ll stay where they are.
gpt
But it appears to be a wonderful country; and has the greatest seal and salmon fisheries, with cod-banks that beat those of Newfoundland.
human
That may be all very true, responded Russell,
gpt
No doubt that’s a difficulty.
human
I should rather think so, if what I read is true, that the ground in certain parts is frozen to a depth of two hundred feet.
gpt
The search for gold must be hard work under such conditions.
human
The rapid changes, too, must be awfully trying, added Russell.
gpt
Some days it is so warm that one may fairly roast, whilst the next day you would be looking for your overcoat.
human
All which goes to show that only the sound and healthy should risk the dangers which undoubtedly will have to be faced.
gpt
Men born in southern latitudes are said to have become insane through the long darkness which prevails.
human
Well, said Fellows,
gpt
Of course, how to get out is the difficulty; the expenses are so great that a little fortune is needed to begin with.
human
Provided the necessary capital can be found, next to good health, what is most needed is a good equipment. The mounted police who have been sent there are all right, because they have been well provided by the Government with food and clothing. Women and children stand the climate; and all reliable testimony is to the effect that the climatic drawbacks are trivial to those who are well equipped.
gpt
It appears to me, said Russell,
human
I quite agree with all you say, replied Fellows.
gpt
Yet I think, he added,
human
Which, then, do you regard as the better way to go?
gpt
Certainly not through the passes over the mountains, in which so many hundreds are said to have met their deaths.
human
How then would you propose getting there?
gpt
By what is now known as the ’All-Water-Route,’ up the Yukon River to Dawson City.
human
But isn’t that a long and tedious way, which, if commenced when navigation opens, is completed so near the end of the season that you have practically no time left for operations that year?
gpt
I think that was so, said Fellows,
human
Is that so?
gpt
The agents say that through the passes it takes from forty to seventy days to get from San Francisco to Dawson City; but by the ’All-Water-Route,’ although you have to start later from the same port, the time taken need never exceed about four weeks; so that with more comfort and convenience, at the cost of less time, you really reach Dawson City sooner than by means of what may be termed the overland route.
human
Well, when I’ve got a couple of hundred pounds to spare I may think more seriously about the desirability of running the risk, but at present I have not the means, and therefore, however great the facilities, it’s no use my thinking much about it.
gpt
That would be my difficulty likewise, said Fellows;
human
My opinion, said Jessie,
gpt
Quite true, Miss Russell, replied Fellows;
human
Still, if a weakness, not one that is, or should be regarded as, wholly incurable.
gpt
Yet ’What will Mrs. Grundy say?’ is an influence quite as strong in operating upon men as upon women.
human
What a misfortune! It seems a sad admission to have to make.
gpt
It is, however, unfortunately too true, since the opinions which others form of us enter very largely into the rule of conduct regulating our daily life. It is seldom until old age begins to overtake us, that men assume that independence of the world’s frowns and sneers which alone enables them to act and speak upon sound principles, regardless of consequences.
human
Good-night,