# Disquieting Traces explained — The Adventures of Captain Hatteras > Chapter companion for The Adventures of Captain Hatteras by Jules Verne. ## What happens After a storm, the crew clears snow from Doctor's House and prepares for hunting. They discover numerous bear tracks surrounding Fort Providence, indicating a potential threat. Hatteras, wary of Altamont, convenes a private meeting with the Englishmen to discuss their future plans to push toward the North Pole, despite the lack of a boat and the presence of the American. ## Themes in this chapter ### Human Endurance and Survival The crew endures the cold, clears snow, and prepares for hunting to sustain themselves, while also facing the threat of bears and planning a dangerous journey to the North Pole. ### National Rivalry and Patriotism Hatteras's refusal to use American ship timbers and his private meeting with English crew members highlight the tension between English and American interests in the quest for polar glory. ### Leadership and Mutiny Hatteras asserts his command by excluding Altamont from strategic discussions, and the crew's loyalty is tested as they consider the American's role in their future plans. ## Character check-ins ### John Hatteras Hatteras is determined to continue toward the North Pole, refuses to use American ship timbers for a boat, and holds a private meeting with the English crew to discuss plans without Altamont. ### Dr. Clawbonny The doctor understands Hatteras's repugnance but does not sympathize with it; he explores bear tracks with Altamont and Bell and later supports Hatteras's polar ambitions. ### Altamont Altamont is a skilled hunter who identifies five distinct bear tracks; he is impatient to hunt and is excluded from Hatteras's private meeting. ### Johnson Johnson is present during the private meeting and questions the presence of the American, but supports Hatteras's plans. ### Bell Bell suggests building a launch from the Porpoise's timbers, but is overruled by Hatteras; he also joins the hunting party and later agrees to continue toward the Pole. ### Duke Duke accompanies the hunters and is noted as equally skilful but less boastful than Altamont. ## Key lines > Never! A launch made out of the wood of an American ship would be an American launch Hatteras refuses to build a boat from the American ship's timbers, insisting it would be an American vessel. _Hatteras's national pride prevents him from using American materials, even for a necessary boat._ > In a month, or six weeks at the latest, we shall be able to make distant excursions. Had you thought of what might be done in the summer? Hatteras asks the English crew about their plans for summer excursions, hinting at continuing toward the North Pole. _Hatteras is already planning the next phase of the expedition, focusing on reaching the Pole._ > We shall go back easily as soon as we shall have discovered the Pole. In fact, more easily. The difficulties will not increase, for, on our way thither, we leave behind us the coldest spots on the globe. Hatteras argues that reaching the Pole will make the return journey easier, as they will have passed the coldest regions. _Hatteras uses optimistic reasoning to persuade his crew to continue the journey._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_captain_hatteras_se/chapters/xi-disquieting-traces - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_captain_hatteras_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_captain_hatteras_se/chapters