Final answer:
The narrator and Stephen are traveling to the Yukon in pursuit of gold, a theme chronicled in literature like Jack London's works, where characters face the severe Yukon environment in the hopes of riches.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrator of the story and Stephen are traveling to the Yukon in search of gold and the potential fortune it represents. This journey to the Yukon, motivated by the gold rush, is a common theme in literature about the American West, where the promise of quick riches drove many people to endure harsh conditions.
Jack London, in his works such as The Call of the Wild and To Build a Fire, often explores the relationship between humans and the environment, particularly the challenges that the brutal Yukon represents. These stories typically illustrate the struggle of man versus nature and the pursuit of wealth in unforgiving circumstances.
The gold rush setting provides a backdrop for characters like Buck, a sled dog, and unnamed men, including the man and his dog in To Build a Fire, to fight for survival in the severe and isolated Yukon landscape.