Chapter 58—Return to the South
Three hours after this sad conclusion to the adventures of Captain Hatteras, Clawbonny, Altamont, and the two sailors were assembled in the cavern at the foot of the volcano.
Then Clawbonny was asked to give his opinion on what was to be done.
“My friends,” he said, “we cannot prolong our stay at Queen’s Island; the sea is open before us; our provisions are sufficient; we must set out and reach Fort Providence as soon as possible, and we can go into winter-quarters till next summer.”
“That is my opinion,” said Altamont; “the wind is fair, and to-morrow we shall set sail.”
The day passed in great gloom. The captain’s madness was a sad foreboding, and when Johnson, Bell, and Altamont thought of their return, they were afraid of their loneliness and remoten
