"My friends," he said, "we are not talking about ships, but about the new sea—"
"It is not new," interrupted Altamont. "It already bears a name on all the charts of the Pole. It is the Arctic Ocean, and I don't see any reason for changing its name; if we should find out in the future that it is only a sound or gulf, we can see what is to be done."
"Very well," said Hatteras.
"Agreed," said the doctor, regretting that he had aroused a discussion between rival nationalities.
"Let us come to the land which we are now in," resumed Hatteras. "I am not aware that it bears any name on the most recent maps."
| "I am not aware that it bears any name on the most recent maps." |
At these words he turned to Altamont, who did not lower his eyes, but answered,—
"You may be mistaken again, Hatteras."
"Mistaken! this unknown land, this new country—"