"The business is settled then so far," resumed the Doctor. "As our discoveries multiply we shall have other names to give; but I trust, friends, we shall have no disputes about them, for placed as we are, we need all the help and love we can give each other. Let us be strong by being united. Who knows what dangers yet we may have to brave, and what sufferings to endure before we see our native land once more. Let us be one in heart though five in number, and let us lay aside all feelings of rivalry. Such feelings are bad enough at all times, but among us they would be doubly wrong. You understand me, Altamont, and you, Hatteras?" Neither of the captains replied, but the Doctor took no notice of their silence, and went on to speak of other things. Sundry expeditions were planned to forage for fresh food. It would soon be spring, and hares and partridges, foxes and bears would re-appear. So it was determined that part of every day should be spent in hunting and exploring this unknown continent of New America. [Illustration: Clambering up the steep, rocky wall, against which the Doctor's House leaned, he succeeded, though with considerable difficulty, in reaching the top.--P.77] CHAPTER VIII. AN EXCURSION TO THE NORTH OF VICTORIA BAY Next morning Clawbonny was out by dawn of day. Clambering up the steep, rocky wall, against which the Doctor's House leaned, he succeeded, though with considerable difficulty, in reaching the top, which he found terminated abruptly in a sort of truncated cone. From this elevation there was an extensive view over a vast tract of country, which was all disordered and convulsed as if it had undergone some volcanic commotion. Sea and land, as far as it was possible to distinguish one from the other, were covered with a sheet of ice. A new project struck the Doctor's mind, which was soon matured and ripe for execution. He lost no time in going back to the snow house, and consulting over it with his companions. "I have got an idea," he said; "I think of constructing a lighthouse on the top of that cone above our heads." "A lighthouse!" they all exclaimed. "Yes, a lighthouse. It would be a double advantage. It would be a beacon to guide us in distant excursions, and also serve to illumine our plateau in the long dreary winter months." "There is no doubt," replied Altamont, "of its utility; but how would you contrive to make it?" "With one of the lanterns out of the Porpoise." "All right; but how will you feed your lamp? With seal oil?" "No, seal oil would not give nearly sufficient light. It would scarcely be visible through the fog." "Are you going to try to make gas out of our coal then?" "No, not that either, for gas would not be strong enough; and, worse still, it would waste our combustibles." "Well," replied Altamont; "I'm at a loss to see how you--"