"That may be all very true," responded Russell, "if fishing be the object in view; but a man has got to stand the climate."
"No doubt that's a difficulty."
"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."
"The search for gold must be hard work under such conditions."
"The rapid changes, too, must be awfully trying," added Russell. "Some days it is so warm that one may fairly roast, whilst the next day you would be looking for your overcoat."
"All which goes to show that only the sound and healthy should risk the dangers which undoubtedly will have to be faced."
"Men born in southern latitudes are said to have become insane through the long darkness which prevails."
"Well," said Fellows, "although it is true that hundreds have been driven back, unable to endure the hardships of the place, whilst as many more have been starved or frozen to death, yet I should not at all mind risking my chance if I saw any way of getting there."
"Of course, how to get out is the difficulty; the expenses are so great that a little fortune is needed to begin with."
"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."