The Field of Ice

able to lend a helping hand in the unlading of the ship. He was a true type of the American, a shrewd, intelligent man, full of energy and resolu

company of wealthy merchants belonging to the Sta

ther to create discord than to make the men friends. With a greater show of frankness, he was in reality far more deep and crafty than Hatteras. He w

d yet one must command inevitably, and which should it be! Hatteras had the me

eep things smooth, for the simplest co

ccurred on the occasion of a grand banquet by way of "

himself by the concoction of a wonderful pudding, which would positively

hare and several ptarmigans, which made an ag

his pudding, adorning himself with the insignia of his

inner, and the others, by the Doctor's orders, joined him in a glass for once, that the festive occasion might be duly hon

Doctor introduced an interesting s

should bestow a name on this continent, where we have found friendly shelter and rest, and not only on the continent, but on the seve

place is named, it takes away the feelin

obliged to separate, or go out hunting, and it would make it much

ctor, "since we are all agreed

ersation as yet, but seeing all eyes f

can give our house is that of its skilful architect, t

thing!"

aimed Johnson, " '

himed in Altamont. "Hurr

ven, in which Duk joined lu

teras, "that this house is to

inst the honour; but he was obliged to yield to the wishes of his f

"let us go onto name the most

which surrounds us, unfurro

nk you have forgotten the Porpoise, and ye

believe she had," replied Hatteras,

piqued tone; "but, after all, is not that bett

ake some sharp retort,

ships, my friends," he sa

e Arctic Ocean, and I think it would be very inconvenient to alter its designation. Should we find out by a

t," said

id the Doctor, almost regretting that he had start

present," resumed Hatteras. "I am not aware that any name wh

he spoke, who met his g

ay be mistaken

s unknown continent,

name," replied

ilent, but his

asked the Doctor, rather aston

y navigator to christen the soil on which he is the first to set foot. It appears to me, th

d Johnson, rather nett

ven supposing she reached this coast by land," continued Altamont, without noti

ountry, you must first discover it, I suppose, and that you certainly did not do. Besides, but for

, "without me and my ship, where would you all

tor, "don't get to words, all that

o its having two names like Grinnell's Land, which is also called Prince Albert's Land, because it was discovered almost simultaneously by an Englishman and an American. This is quite anot

at name?" inqui

ca," repli

essed passion, but by a viol

mont, "that an Englishman has se

much offended as the captain by Altamont's impe

an awkward silence, which

e indisputable. We will take our revenge by and by, and England will get her full share in our future discoveries. Let the name New America stand for the continent itself, but

at yonder cape is called Cape

atteras, almost beside himself with passion

so sweet to an American,"

right to be proud of his great countryman! Let us honour genius wherever it is met with

h that my name should figure anywhere on this

erable determinatio

t

did not ins

"We'll leave our traces behind us. I propose that the island we see out there, about thre

" began Johnson, in

red in the west we will call Bell

too much honou

justice," retu

d be better,"

for it is neither to our gracious sovereign Queen Victoria, nor to Washington, that we owe our safety and shelter here,

said Altamont; "no name

ons, then, we shall go by Cape Washington to Victoria Bay, and from thenc

all the help and love we can give each other. Let us be strong by being united. Who knows what dangers yet we may have to brave, and what sufferings to endure before we see our native land once more. Let us be o

peditions were planned to forage for fresh food. It would soon be spring, and hares and partridges, foxes and bears would re-app