Altamont

Dr. Clawbonny

Altamont and Clawbonny develop a friendship after initial suspicion, with Clawbonny acting as a mediator between Altamont and Hatteras.

John Hatteras

Altamont and Hatteras are fierce rivals, competing for glory and the discovery of the North Pole, with nationalistic tensions between them.

Johnson

Altamont and Johnson interact as fellow crew members, with Johnson maintaining a cautious but professional demeanor toward the American rival.

Dr. Clawbonny

Altamont and Clawbonny develop a friendship after initial suspicion, with Clawbonny acting as a mediator between Altamont and Hatteras.

Dr. Clawbonny

Altamont and Clawbonny develop a friendship after initial suspicion, with Clawbonny acting as a mediator between Altamont and Hatteras.

John Hatteras

Altamont and Hatteras are fierce rivals, competing for glory and the discovery of the North Pole, with nationalistic tensions between them.

John Hatteras

Altamont and Hatteras are fierce rivals, competing for glory and the discovery of the North Pole, with nationalistic tensions between them.

Johnson

Altamont and Johnson interact as fellow crew members, with Johnson maintaining a cautious but professional demeanor toward the American rival.

Johnson

Altamont and Johnson interact as fellow crew members, with Johnson maintaining a cautious but professional demeanor toward the American rival.

The Return to the Forward

Discovered buried in the ice, alive but insensible; identified as an American from the Porpoise of New York.

The Doctor's Inventory

Brought to the ice house on a sledge, injured and unconscious, cared for by the group.

Altamont's First Words

The American survivor, still recovering; opens his eyes and listens but cannot speak due to scurvy; shows gratitude for being saved.

III: Seventeen Days of Land Journey

Reveals the location of the Porpoise, though his account is incomplete; Hatteras suspects his motives.

IV: The Last Charge of Powder

Confirms the location of the Porpoise, though his statements are re-examined by the doctor.

The Seal and the Bear

Recovered and now able to speak, he points out the location of his ship, the Porpoise, and shows signs of ambition.

The Porpoise

Still weak from his ordeal; stays on the Porpoise while others work; his presence causes unease in Hatteras.

A Discussion About Charts

Fully recovered, reveals his American origin and commanding nature; claims discovery rights for the United States.

Excursion to the North of Victoria Bay

Participates in the hunt and questions the doctor about the lighthouse design.

Cold and Heat

Altamont engages in the debate about temperature extremes, playfully defending American resilience against heat.

X: The Pleasures of Winter-Quarters

Drinks or sleeps, and seldom speaks to Hatteras. He expresses boredom and engages in conversation about Parry's entertainments.

Disquieting Traces

Altamont is a skilled hunter who identifies five distinct bear tracks; he is impatient to hunt and is excluded from Hatteras's private meeting.

The Ice Prison

Participates in the hunt and becomes frustrated by the bear siege, suggesting a night sortie.

The Mine

Participates in digging the gallery and prepares to fight the bears with an axe and knife.

The Polar Spring

Agrees to join the summer expedition and to build a boat from the wreck of the Porpoise, showing willingness to cooperate.

XV: The Northwest Passage

Argues for American exploration glory, particularly Captain Kane, and challenges the completeness of the Northwest Passage discovery.

XVI: Northern Arcadia

Uses Indian hunting technique for reindeer, participates in the hunting trip, shows hunter's instincts but refrains from shooting.

Altamont's Revenge

Saves Hatteras's life at risk to himself, reconciles with Hatteras, and joins the expedition to the North Pole.

The Journey Northward

Hunts for fresh meat, bringing down a musk-ox, and is admired for his bravery and skill.

Footprints on the Snow

Annoyed by the discovery of tracks; points out the European shoe print and is involved in the decision-making.

XXI: The Open Sea

Lies among the cargo in the launch during the voyage.

The Approach to the Pole

Altamont questions the presence of a volcano at such a high latitude but eventually accepts the possibility.

The English Flag

Takes the helm during the search, helps navigate to the island, and is present at the reunion.

Polar Cosmography

Participates in the discussion, questioning the doctor about the difficulty of polar discovery and the possibility of a journey to the Earth's center.

Mount Hatteras

Moved by the doctor's cry, he risks his life to save Hatteras from falling into the crater.

Return to the South

Supports the return plan, shows devotion by hunting, and discovers the frozen bodies of the Forward crew.

Conclusion

Survives and remains with the group, becoming a friend to the others.