He pressed both hands on his brow as he spoke, as if to calm the inward tumult.
Just then Altamont and the others came up, and their appearance seemed to dispel the hallucinations under which he was labouring.
"My friends," he said, in a voice full of emotion, "thanks for your courage, thanks for your perseverance, thanks for your superhuman efforts, through which we are permitted to set our feet on this soil."
"Captain," said Johnson, "we have only obeyed orders to you alone belongs the honour."
"No, no!" exclaimed Hatteras, with a violent outburst of emotion, "to all of you as much as to me! To Altamont as much as any of us, as much as the Doctor himself! Oh, let my heart break in your hands, it cannot contain its joy and gratitude any longer."
He grasped the hands of his brave companions as he spoke, and paced up and down as if he had lost all self-control.
"We have only done our duty as Englishmen," said Bell.
"And as friends," added Clawbonny.
"Yes, but all did not do it," replied Hatteras "some gave way. However, we must pardon them-pardon both the traitors and those who were led away by them. Poor fellows! I forgive them. You hear me, Doctor?"
"Yes," replied Clawbonny, beginning to be seriously uneasy at his friend's excitement.