"No, we can't," repeated Hatteras, almost mechanically.
"And he will be sure to go too."
"Yes, he will go too; but who will command!"
"You, captain."
"And if you all obey my orders, will the Yankee refuse?"
"I shouldn't think so; but suppose he should, what can be done?"
"He and I must fight it out, then."
The three Englishmen looked at Hatteras, but said nothing. Then the Doctor asked how they were to go?
"By the coast, as far as possible," was the reply.
"But what if we find open water, as is likely enough?"
"Well, well go across it."
"But we have no boat."
Hatteras did not answer, and looked embarrassed.
"Perhaps," suggested Bell, "we might make a ship out of some of the planks of the Porpoise."
"Never!" exclaimed Hatteras, vehemently.
"Never!" said Johnson.
The Doctor shook his head. He understood the feeling of the captain.
"Never!" reiterated Hatteras. "A boat made out of an American ship would be an American!"
"But captain" began Johnson.
The Doctor made a sign to the old boatswain not to press the subject further, and resolved in his own mind to reserve the question for discussion at a more opportune moment. He managed to turn the conversation to other matters, till it abruptly terminated by the entrance of Altamont.
This ended the day, and the night passed quietly without the least disturbance. The bears had evidently disappeared.
CHAPTER XII
IMPRISONED IN DOCTOR'S HOUSE
The first business next day was to arrange for a hunt. It was settled that Altamont, Bell, and Hatteras should form the party, while Clawbonny should go and explore as far as Isle Johnson, and make some hydrographic notes, and Johnson should remain behind to keep house.
