mouth of the Stikine, may be taken as fairly representative of the coast in these latitudes. For the interior region there is not, unfortunately, any record of a series of thermometer readings; but some idea of its climate may be formed from that of Fort Yukon, which is, however, situated far to the north, almost exactly on the Arctic circle.

DR. DAWSON'S TABLE.

The mean seasonal temperature for these two stations, as gathered by Dr. Dawson, is as follows:

In other words, the seasons are not so severe in the interior of the gold-bearing regions as they are in some of the central provinces of European Russia, where the thermometer descends to 31 degrees and sometimes to 50 degrees in the winter months, but rises in summer to 104 and even to 109 degrees. The rainfall in the interior, too, is small, varying from sixteen to twenty-eight inches, the maximum precipitation taking place during the summer months.

I consider above readings can apply for immediate Klondyke regions.

By May 1st prospecting and new mining operations usually begin, and there are really only four months, May, June, July and August, during which prospecting can be done and new mining operations commenced.

There is a popular error that mining operations can only be conducted during those four months, but I shall draw a clear distinction between prospecting and the commencement of the new operations, and the working of mines already established and being worked. Mining operations of the latter sort where the mines are already established can be conducted during the entire year.

CHAPTER XI.

COST OF LIVING AND WAGES PAID.

MANY unreliable reports have been received as to the enormous cost of living in the new gold region.

When I left there in June, 1897, board was obtainable in Dawson City from two to three dollars per day in hotels and restaurants, but many of the miners were living on their own resources at not more than $1.00 per day, and some of the men that I knew were not spending more than $250.00 a year for living expenses. Of course with the large influx of new prospectors, the rate of board and provisions will advance, but in my opinion the advance will not be excessive for the reason that the Transportation Companies will increase their facilities for bringing in supplies. This is no place for a man unless he goes ready to do hard work and suffer hardships. Of course, in any mining camp or community of any nature, there is always a number of indolent characters who live by gambling, etc. Up to June, labor was in good demand; it was almost impossible to secure hands at $15.00 per day to work in a saw mill. Miners working on claims and mechanics receive $1.50 per hour or $15.00 a day. Ordinary laborers for any kind of work, however, never receive less than $10.00 a day. If a man is economical in his living, and does not allow himself to be drawn into the gambling

saloons, he can save sufficent money in a short time to purchase an outfit and go to prospecting and locate a good claim outside of the present regions. I certainly would not recommend a person to go into the country with only sufficient money to take him there. He should have sufficient money to take him there and purchase provisions for one year, and not be dependent upon the charity of strangers. The cost of various articles at Dawson City are mentioned in the chapter under outfit for miners.

A miner does not have to be in the country long before he makes association with some other miner, and puts up his own cabin thereby reducing expenses.

CHAPTER XII.

MINERS' LUCK.

MANY of the reports received of the large finds of gold from the gold regions are not in any way exaggerated, but the claims all along the Klondyke and its various tributaries are already taken up and more than 1000 claims are staked out and in operation, and the new prospector must work for others or go on prospecting trips farther into the region. and take his chance of locating new claims.

I consider the chance good if he is well supplied with provisions and enjoys a good constitution, and can suffer the hardships which must be endured in any circumstances in this new and comparatively unexplored region.

The reports already received of the finds of gold seem beyond belief but the greater part of them are actual facts, and the following came under my personal observation :

men.

Alexander McDonald, on Claim No. 30, Eldorado, on the Klondyke, started drifting on his claim with four The men agreed to work the claim on shares, the agreement being that they should work on shares by cach receiving half of what they could get out. The five together took out $5,000 in twenty-eight days. The