an land, I don't
care to have my name figure here."

"Is that opinion unchangeable?" asked the doctor.

"It is," answered Hatteras.

The doctor did not insist any further.

"Well, then, it's our turn," he said, addressing the old sailor and
the carpenter; "let us leave a trace of our passage here. I propose
that we call that island about three miles from here Johnson Island,
in honor of our boatswain."

"O," said the latter, a little embarrassed, "O doctor!"

"As to the mountain which we have seen in the west, we shall call it
Bell Mountain, if our carpenter is willing."

"It's too much honor for me," answered Bell.

"It's only fair," said the doctor.

"Nothing better," said Altamont.

"Then we have only to name our fort," resumed the doctor; "there need
be no discussion about that; it's neither to Her Royal Highness Queen
Victoria nor to Washington that we owe our protection in it at this
moment, but to God, who brought us together and saved us all. Let it
be called Fort Providence!"

"A capital plan!" answered Altamont.

"Fort Providence," added Johnson, "that sounds well! So, then, in
returning from our excursions in the north, we shall start from Cape
Washington to reach Victoria Bay, and from there to Fort Providence,
where we shall find rest and plenty in Doctor's House."

"Then that's settled," answered the doctor; "later, as we make
discoveries, we shall have other names to give, which I hope will not
give rise to discussion; for, my friends, we ought to stand by one
another and love one another; we represent humanity on this distant
shore; let us not give ourselves up to the detestable passions which
infest society; let us rather remain unattackable by adversity. Who
can say what dangers Heaven has in store for us, what sufferings we
may not have to support before we return to our own country? Let us
five be like one man, and leave on one side the rivalry which is wrong
anywhere, and especially here. You understand me, Altamont? And you,
Hatteras?"

The two men made no reply, but the doctor did not seem to notice their
silence. Then they talked about other things; about hunting, so as to
get a supply of fresh meat; with the spring, hares, partridges, even
foxes, would return, as well as bears; they resolved accordingly not
to let a favorable day pass without exploring the land of New America.

CHAPTER VIII.
EXCURSION TO THE NORTH OF VICTORIA BAY.

The next morning, as soon as the s