That was true, speaking exactly. What answer could be made?
Nevertheless, Hatteras rose to his feet and said,—
"I shall not permit the good name of an English captain to be attacked any further in my presence."
"You will not permit it?" answered the American, who also rose to his feet; "but these are the facts, and it is beyond your power to destroy them."
"Sir!" said Hatteras, pale with anger.
"My friends," said the doctor, "don't get excited! We are discussing a scientific subject."
Clawbonny looked with horror at a scientific discussion into which the hate of an American and an Englishman could enter.
"I am going to give you the facts," began Hatteras, threateningly.
"But I'm speaking now!" retorted the American.
Johnson and Bell became very uneasy.