"I don't think anything about it," answered the doctor; "but the situation of this ship on the way to the Pole gives one material for thought."
"But Altamont said he had drifted there."
"He said so! Yes, but he was smiling in a very strange way."
"The devil, Dr. Clawbonny; it would be unfortunate if there should be any rivalry between two such men."
"Heaven grant that I may be mistaken, Johnson, for this misfortune might produce serious complications, if not some catastrophe."
"I hope Altamont will not forget that we saved his life."
"But isn't he going to save us? I confess that without us he would not be alive; but what would become of us without him, without his ship, without its resources?"
"Well, Doctor, you are here, and I hope with your aid all will go well."
"I hope so, Johnson."
The voyage went on without incident; there was no lack of bear's flesh, and they made copious meals of it; there was a certain good-humor in the little band, thanks to the jests of the doctor and his pleasant philosophy; this worthy man always had some scrap of information to give to his companions. His health continued good; he had not grown very thin, in spite of his fatigues and privations; his friends at Liverpool would have recognized him without difficulty; especially would they have recognized his unaltered good-humor.