"Hatteras could only keep his distance from the animals by throwing away his cap, hatchet, and even his gun."

"Well," said Hatteras, "we can now defend ourselves better, five to five!"

"Four to five!" shouted Johnson in a terrified voice.

"What?" asked Hatteras.

"The doctor!" answered Johnson, pointing to the empty room.

"Well?"

"He is on the shore of the island!"

"Poor man!" cried Bell.

"We can't abandon him in this way," said Altamont.

"Let us run!" said Hatteras.