The Field of Ice Page 8

  AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

  While all these preparations for winter were going on Altamont wasfast regaining strength. His vigorous constitution triumphed, and hewas even able to lend a helping hand in the unlading of the ship. Hewas a true type of the American, a shrewd, intelligent man, full ofenergy and resolution, enterprising, bold, and ready for anything.He was a native of New York, he informed his companions, and hadbeen a sailor from his boyhood.

  The Porpoise had been equipped and sent out by a company of wealthymerchants belonging to the States, at the head of which was thefamous Grinnell.

  There were many points of resemblance between Altamont and Hatteras,but no affinities. Indeed, any similarity that there was betweenthem, tended rather to create discord than to make the men friends.With a greater show of frankness, he was in reality far more deepand crafty than Hatteras. He was more free and easy, but not sotrue-hearted, and somehow his apparent openness did not inspire suchconfidence as the Englishman's gloomy reserve.

  ]

  The Doctor was in constant dread of a collision between the rivalcaptains, and yet one must command inevitably, and which should itbe! Hatteras had the men, but Altamont had the ship, and it was hardto say whose was the better right.

  It required all the Doctor's tact to keep things smooth, for thesimplest conversation threatened to lead to strife.

  At last, in spite of all his endeavours, an outbreak occurred on theoccasion of a grand banquet by way of "house-warming," when thenew habitation was completed.

  This banquet was Dr Clawbonny's idea. He was head-cook, anddistinguished himself by the concoction of a wonderful pudding,which would positively have done no dishonour to the cuisine of theLord Chancellor of England.

  Bell most opportunely chanced to shoot a white hare and severalptarmigans, which made an agreeable variety from the pemmican andsalt meat.

  Clawbonny was master of the ceremonies, and brought in his pudding,adorning himself with the insignia of his office--a big apron, anda knife dangling at his belt.

  As Altamont did not conform to the teetotal regime of his Englishcompanions, gin and brandy were set on the table after dinner, andthe others, by the Doctor's orders, joined him in a glass foronce, that the festive occasion might be duly honoured. When thedifferent toasts were being drunk, one was given to the UnitedStates, to which Hatteras made no response.

  This important business over, the Doctor introduced an interestingsubject of conversation by saying--

  "My friends, it is not enough to have come thus far in spite of somany difficulties; we have something more yet to do. I propose weshould bestow a name on this continent, where we have found friendlyshelter and rest, and not only on the continent, but on the severalbays, peaks, and promontories that we meet with. This has beeninvariably done by navigators and is a most necessary proceeding."

  "Quite right," said Johnson, "when once a place is named, ittakes away the feeling of being castaways on an unknown shore."

  "Yes," added Bell, "and we might be going on some expeditionand obliged to separate, or go out hunting, and it would make itmuch easier to find one another if each locality had a definitename."

  ]

  "Very well; then," said the Doctor, "since we are all agreed,let us go steadily to work."

  Hatteras had taken no part in the conversation as yet, but seeingall eyes fixed on him, he rose at last, and said--

  "If no one objects, I think the most suitable name we can give ourhouse is that of its skilful architect, the best man among us. Letus call it 'Doctor's House.'"

  "Just the thing!" said Bell.

  "First rate!" exclaimed Johnson, "'Doctor's House!'"

  "We cannot do better," chimed in Altamont. "Hurrah for DoctorClawbonny."

  Three hearty cheers were given, in which Duk joined lustily, barkinghis loudest.

  "It is agreed then," said Hatteras, "that this house is to becalled 'Doctor's House.'"

  The Doctor, almost overcome by his feelings, modestly protestedagainst the honour; but he was obliged to yield to the wishes of hisfriends, and the new habitation was formally named "Doctor'sHouse."

  "Now, then," said the Doctor, "let us go onto name the mostimportant of our discoveries."

  "There is that immense sea which surrounds us, unfurrowed as yetby a single ship."

  "A single ship!" repeated Altamont. "I think you haveforgotten the Porpoise, and yet she certainly did not get hereoverland,"

  "Well, it would not be difficult to believe she had," repliedHatteras, "to see on what she lies at present."

  "True, enough, Hatteras," said Altamont, in a piqued tone;"but, after all, is not that better than being blown to atoms likethe Forward?"

  Hatteras was about to make some sharp retort, but Clawbonnyinterposed.

  "It is not a question of ships, my friends," he said, "but ofa fresh sea."

  "It is no new sea," returned Altamont; "it is in every Polarchart, and has a name already. It is called the Arctic Ocean, and Ithink it would be very inconvenient to alter its designation. Shouldwe find out by and by, that, instead of being an ocean it is only astrait or gulf, it will be time enough to alter it then."

  "So be it," said Hatteras.

  "Very well, that is an understood thing, then," said the Doctor,almost regretting that he had started a discussion so pregnant withnational rivalries.

  "Let us proceed with the continent where we find ourselves atpresent," resumed Hatteras. "I am not aware that any namewhatever has been affixed to it, even in the most recent charts."

  He looked at Altamont as he spoke, who met his gaze steadily, andsaid--

  "Possibly you may be mistaken again, Hatteras."

  "Mistaken! What! This unknown continent, this virgin soil----"

  "Has already a name," replied Altamont, coolly.

  Hatteras was silent, but his lip quivered.

  "And what name has it, then?" asked the Doctor, ratherastonished at Altamont's affirmation.

  "My dear Clawbonny," replied the American, "it is the custom,not to say the right, of every navigator to christen the soil onwhich he is the first to set foot. It appears to me, therefore, thatit is my privilege and duty on this occasion to exercise myprerogative, and--"

  "But, sir," interrupted Johnson, rather nettled at his sangfroid.

  "It would be a difficult matter to prove that the Porpoise did notcome here, even supposing she reached this coast by land,"continued Altamont, without noticing Johnson's protest. "Thefact is indisputable," he added looking at Hatteras.

  "I dispute the claim," said the Englishman,restraining himself by a powerful effort.--P.72]

  "I dispute the claim," said the Englishman, restraining himselfby a powerful effort. "To name a country, you must first discoverit, I suppose, and that you certainly did not do. Besides, but forus, where would you have been, sir, at this moment, pray? Lyingtwenty feet deep under the snow."

  "And without me, sir," retorted Altamont, hotly, "without meand my ship, where would you all be at this moment? Dead, from coldand hunger."

  "Come, come, friends," said the Doctor, "don't get to words,all that can be easily settled. Listen to me."

  "Mr. Hatteras," said Altamont, "is welcome to name whateverterritories he may discover, should he succeed in discovering any;but this continent belongs to me. I should not even consent to itshaving two names like Grinnell's Land, which is also called PrinceAlbert's Land, because it was discovered almost simultaneously byan Englishman and an American. This is quite another matter; myright of priority is incontestable. No ship before mine ever touchedthis shore, no foot before mine ever trod this soil. I have given ita name, and that name it shall keep."

  "And what is that name?" inquired the Doctor.

  "New America," replied Altamont.

  Hatteras trembled with suppressed passion, but by a violent effortrestrained himself.

  "Can you prove to me," said Altamont, "that an Englishman hasset foot here before an American?"

  Johnson and Bell said
nothing, though quite as much offended as thecaptain by Altamont's imperious tone. They felt that reply wasimpossible.

  For a few minutes there was an awkward silence, which the Doctorbroke by saying--

  "My friends, the highest human law is justice. It includes allothers. Let us be just, then, and don't let any bad feeling get inamong us. The priority of Altamont seems to me indisputable. We willtake our revenge by and by, and England will get her full share inour future discoveries. Let the name New America stand for thecontinent itself, but I suppose Altamont has not yet disposed of allthe bays, and capes, and headlands it contains, and I imagine therewill be nothing to prevent us calling this bay Victoria Bay?"

  "Nothing whatever, provided that yonder cape is called CapeWashington," replied Altamont.

  "You might choose a name, sir," exclaimed Hatteras, almostbeside himself with passion, "that is less offensive to anEnglishman."

  "But not one which sounds so sweet to an American," retortedAltamont, proudly.

  "Come, come," said the Doctor, "no discussion on that subject.An American has a perfect right to be proud of his great countryman!Let us honour genius wherever it is met with; and since Altamont hasmade his choice, let us take our turn next; let the captain----"

  "Doctor!" interrupted Hatteras, "I have no wish that my nameshould figure anywhere on this continent, seeing that it belongs toAmerica."

  "Is this your unalterable determination?" asked Clawbonny.

  "It is."

  The Doctor did not insist further.

  "Very well, we'll have it to ourselves then," he continued,turning to Johnson and Bell. "We'll leave our traces behind us.I propose that the island we see out there, about three miles awayfrom the shore, should be called Isle Johnson, in honour of ourboatswain,''

  "Oh, Mr. Clawbonny," began Johnson, in no little confusion.

  "And that mountain that we discovered in the west we will callBell Mount, if our carpenter is willing."

  "It is doing me too much honour," replied Bell.

  "It is simple justice," returned the Doctor.

  "Nothing could be better," said Altamont.

  "Now then, all we have to do is to christen our fort," said theDoctor, "about that there will be no discussion, I hope, for it isneither to our gracious sovereign Queen Victoria, nor to Washington,that we owe our safety and shelter here, but to God, who broughtabout our meeting, and by so doing saved us all. Let our little fortbe called Fort Providence."

  "Your remarks are just," said Altamont; "no name could be moresuitable."

  "Fort Providence," added Johnson, "sounds well too. In ourfuture excursions, then, we shall go by Cape Washington to VictoriaBay, and from thence to Fort Providence, where we shall find foodand rest at Doctor's House!"

  "The business is settled then so far," resumed the Doctor. "Asour discoveries multiply we shall have other names to give; but Itrust, friends, we shall have no disputes about them, for placed aswe are, we need all the help and love we can give each other. Let usbe strong by being united. Who knows what dangers yet we may have tobrave, and what sufferings to endure before we see our native landonce more. Let us be one in heart though five in number, and let uslay aside all feelings of rivalry. Such feelings are bad enough atall times, but among us they would be doubly wrong. You understandme, Altamont, and you, Hatteras?"

  Neither of the captains replied, but the Doctor took no notice oftheir silence, and went on to speak of other things. Sundryexpeditions were planned to forage for fresh food. It would soon bespring, and hares and partridges, foxes and bears would re-appear.So it was determined that part of every day should be spent inhunting and exploring this unknown continent of New America.

  Clambering up the steep, rocky wall, against whichthe Doctor's House leaned, he succeeded, though with considerabledifficulty, in reaching the top.--P.77]

  CHAPTER VIII.