agments were hurled far off in all
directions. The innumerable dangers of this ascent may be readily
perceived, as well as the foolhardiness of the attempt.

Still, Hatteras climbed with wonderful agility, and while spurning the
use of his iron-tipped staff, he ascended the steepest slopes. He soon
reached a circular rock, which formed a sort of plateau about ten feet
broad; a glowing stream surrounded it, which was divided at the corner
by a higher rock, and left only a narrow passage through which
Hatteras slipped boldly. There he stopped, and his companions were
able to join him. Then he seemed to estimate the distance yet
remaining; horizontally there were only about six hundred feet of the
crater remaining, that is to say, from the mathematical point of the
Pole; but vertically they had fifteen hundred feet yet to climb. The
ascent had already taken three hours; Hatteras did not seem tired; his
companions were exhausted.

The top of the volcano seemed inaccessible. The doctor wished at any
risk to keep Hatteras from going higher. At first he tried gentle
means, but the captain's excitement amounted to delirium; on the way
he had exhibited all the signs of growing madness, and whoever has
known him in the different scenes of his life cannot be surprised. In
proportion as Hatteras rose above the ocean his excitement increased;
he lived no longer with men; he thought he was growing larger with the
mountain itself.

"Hatteras," said the doctor, "this is far enough! we can't go any
farther!"

"Stay where you are, then," answered the captain in a strange voice;
"I shall go higher!"

"No! that's useless! you are at the Pole here!"

"No, no, higher!"

"My friend, it's I who am speaking to you, Dr. Clawbonny! Don't you
know me?"

"Higher! higher!" repeated the madman.

"Well, no, we sha'n't let--"

The doctor had not finished the sentence before Hatteras, by a violent
effort, sprang over the stream of lava and was out of their reach.
They uttered a cry, thinking Hatteras was lost in the fiery abyss; but
he had reached the other side, followed by Duke, who was unwilling to
abandon him.

He disappeared behind a puff of smoke, and his voice was heard growing
fainter and fainter in the distance.

"To the north!" he was shouting, "to the top of Mount Hatteras! Do you
remember Mount Hatteras?"

They could not think of getting up to him; there were twenty chances
to one against their being able to cross the stre