"Women are stupid creatures, you’ll say, and jump to all manner of ridiculous conclusions," said Jessie; "but for all that I must say I don’t like him. There’s something about the man’s look and manner which makes me feel queer whenever I see him." Fellows looked up with a smile, as he said, "I don’t think women such stupid creatures; they have a sort of power, which we men do not appear to possess, called intuition, which enables them to form conclusions a great deal more rapidly than the members of the opposite sex; and, what is more to the point, their rapidly formed conclusions are less frequently wrong than are the more laboured ones which we indulge ourselves in delivering, often with a great assumption of authority, more impressive than the argument or its conclusion." "Wisely spoken, Sir Oracle!" exclaimed Russell, as he clapped his hands together by way of indicating his approval; whilst Jessie’s eyes sparkled as she listened to his defence of her sex. "But we are getting off the track," remarked Fellows. "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." "Then don’t be in any hurry to do that which may involve a life-long repentance," said Russell. "Changing the subject," remarked Fellows, "what’s your opinion of Barton’s project?" "What? as to going to the Yukon?" "Yes." "Why, I think if they are wise they’ll stay where they are." "But it appears to be a wonderful country; and has the greatest seal and salmon fisheries, with cod-banks that beat those of Newfoundland." "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."