The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-02-11

there is nothing to hinder us reaching
the POLE"
The pole!" echoed Hatteras.
les why not? Can't we push our
way overland In the summer?"
we might overland. but how could
we cross water?"
ships planks?"
Gut of an American ship!" exclaim-
cd the captain. contemptuously.
Clawbonny was prudent enough to
change the conversation.
In nve days the men had built an ice
mousse on shore not far from the boat,
also powder magazine and a shelter
for the dogs.
The walls Of the house were over
five feet thick, and the windows made
of polished sheet ice resembling port
holes for cannon. Every part was as
SOLID as possible, and a parapet was
erected outside for defense against any
enemies
while all these preparations for win
ter were going on. Altamont was fast
reealn1ng strength. He was a type of
the American, shrewd, Intelligent, full
OF energy and resolution: enterprising,
bold, and ready for anything. He was
a native of New York, he informed his
companions, and had been a sailor
from his boyhood
The Porpoise had been equipped and
sent out by company of wealthy
American merchants
There were many points of resem-
hot
as, but no friendship. With a greater
show OF frankness, he was in reality
far more deep and crafty than Hat
teras. His apparent openness did not
inspire such confidence as the English
mans gloomy reserve.
The doctor was in constant dread of
collision between the rival captains,
and yet one must command inevitably,
and which should it be Hatteras had
the men, but Altamont had the ship
1t was hard to say whose was the bet
ter right.
1t required all the doctors tact to
keep things smooth. At last, in spite
of all his endeavors, an outbreak came.
1t was at a grand banquet, q sort of
'house-w warming" held when the new
habitation was completed.
This banquet was DR.. Clawbonny's
idea. He was head cook, and made
wonderful pudding. Bell had shot a
white hare and several ptarmigans,
which made an agreeable variety from
the pemmican and salt meat
Clawbonny was cook and master of
ceremonies. and brought in a pudding,
himself with 1T
a knife at his belt.
After dinner different toasts were
drunk in brandy. One was given to
the United States, to which Hatteras
made no response.
This over, the doctor introduced an
interesting subject of conversion by
saying:
MY friends, we have something yet
to do. I suppose we should bestow a
name on this continent, which we
have found, and also on the several
bays. peaks and promontories that we
meet with. This has been Invariably
done by navigators."
Quite right" said Johnson: when
once a place is named. it takes away
the feeling of being castaways on an
unknown shore"
Hatteras had taken no part in the
conversation as yet but seeing all eyes
fixed on him. he rose at last, and said:
IF no one objects. think the most
suitable name we can give our house Is
that of it's skillful architect. the best
man among us. Let us call 1t Doc
tors house.
"Just the thing!" said Bell.
First rate!" exclaimed johnson.
Doctors house!'"
I'VE cannot do better" chimed in
Altamont. "Hurrah for DR.. Clawbon-
n.y."
Three hearty CHEERS were given. in
which Duke. the dog. joined Justify,
barking his loudest
TT is agreed. them" said Hatteras,
that this house IL to be called Doc
tors house.
The doctor modestly protested
AGAINST the honor, but he was obliged
to Weld. The new habitation was for
mally named Doctors house"
"Now. then" said the doctor. let u
~ IN to name the most important Of
our discoveries" aa
s'IneIoa 10 tUdt NnAAAsSAAH oO1 WAAASAA
.urrounds US, unfurrowed an yet by .
single ship" e.-a
Altamont looked up quickly.
"A single ship" he repeated. Il
.hink YOU have forgotten the Por-
noise. She certainly did not get here
overland" asg
"well. 1t wouldn't be hard to think
80" replied Hatteras. ito look at her
now"
"rrue enough. Hatteras." said Alta
mont. pioued, but. after all. Is not that
better than being blown to atoms. ike
the Forward :"
Hatteras was about to reply wnen
Clawbonny intsrposed.
.'It il not q question OF SHIPS
friends" he said, but OF 1resn .eA
"It II no new sea-" returned A@
mont: ut il in every polar chart. ana
has a name already. + 10 called the
Arctic ocean. and think 1t would Dc
verv inconvenient to alter its designa-
ton. Should we find out by ano oy,
that. instead of being an ocean !. y
only a strait or gulf. It Will De time
enough TO alter 1t them"