First at the North Pole Part 30

"What about the leaks, Captain?" asked Andy, to change the subject.

"They are pretty bad, but I hope to reach port without serious trouble,"

was the reply.

But the look on the face of the commander of the _Ice King_ showed that he was greatly worried.

CHAPTER XIX

GREENLAND AND THE ESQUIMAUX

There was a good deal of ice near the coast, yet, by setting a constant watch in the crow's nest of the steamer, Captain Williamson was able to steer a fairly straight course for Holstenborg.

"It is only a small Danish settlement," said Barwell Dawson, in reply to a question from Chet. "Ordinarily, on account of the marine laws made by Denmark, we might have trouble in landing, but being in need of repairs, I fancy there will be no difficulty."

A little later land was discovered, and presently the coast loomed up, dark and rocky, with the mountain tops covered with snow and ice. Then, through the gla.s.ses, they made out a few buildings, of stone and wood, cl.u.s.tered together near a natural harbor.

"Not much of a town, that's sure," was Andy's comment.

Signals were set, and as the steamer came to anchor, a small boat came out from sh.o.r.e. It contained one of the government officials, a round-faced, pleasant-looking Dane, with yellowish hair and mild blue eyes.

It was with some difficulty that matters were explained, and then arrangements were made to have the _Ice King_ towed to a spot where the necessary repairs could be made. Work on the vessel began the next day, and while this was going on the boys received permission to go ash.o.r.e.

They found but little to see. There was a mine back of the settlement, where ore was being blasted out, and they watched several blasts go off.

Then they walked to where a fishing vessel had just come in with, a large quant.i.ty of seals, and some fish which were called cod, but which they found to be of a different variety from those caught off the New England coast.

"Those seals ought to be valuable," said Andy. "Think of the price of a sealskin coat!"

"Not this kind of seal," answered Professor Jeffer, who chanced to be near at the time. "The seals from which we get sealskin coats such as you refer to come from the coast of Labrador and from Alaskan waters.

These seals, as you will find by close examination, do not have a skin of fur, but one of hair, like a horse. But the Esquimaux use them for garment-making. An Esquimau woman will make herself a very fine dress out of these sealskins."

The boys watched the fish and seals taken ash.o.r.e, and then caught sight of a man in the crowd who looked as if he might be American or English.

"I'd like to talk to that man," said Chet, and watching his chance, he called to the individual. The fellow called back, and when his work was ended, walked over to the boys.

"My name is Rooney, Jack Rooney," he said after the youths had introduced themselves. "I'm from New Brunswick, although I once lived in Maine. Glad to know you." And he shook hands.

"Have you been along the coast of Greenland long?" asked Chet.

"About fifteen years, off and on."

"Then you must know something about the whalers that come up here."

"Yes, I've been aboard plenty of 'em,--one time and another."

"Did you ever see the _Betsey Andrews_?"

Jack Rooney stood for a moment in deep thought, and then scratched his grizzled chin.

"How long ago is it she was in these parts?"

"Oh, two years ago at least."

"Who was her captain, do you know?"

"Captain Jacob Spark."

"Spark? Oh, yes, I remember him! A one-armed man, an old war veteran."

"Yes, I was told he had but one arm." Chet's heart began to beat a little faster. "Then you remember him and his ship?"

"Oh, yes."

"My father was on board the _Betsey Andrews_. He shipped the last time she left New Bedford."

"I see."

"She never came back, and I can't find out what became of her,"

continued Chet.

"What! was she lost at sea? But hold on, I remember hearing something about that." Jack Rooney scratched his head. "Let's see, who was it told me? Oh, I remember now, Tom Fetjen. He told me something about her getting fast in the ice, but I don't remember the particulars."

"Who is Tom Fetjen?"

"Oh, he's a fellow who travels up and down the Greenland coast, bartering with the Esquimaux--in a small way, you know."

"You don't remember what he said about the _Betsey Andrews_?"

"None of the particulars, no. But Fetjen could tell you, I am sure. He knew this one-armed Spark quite well. Often told stories about the captain."

"Where is Tom Fetjen now?"

"I don't know, but maybe I can find out," answered Jack Rooney.

The fisherman became interested in the boys, and had Chet tell more about his missing parent. Then he went in search of some men who had business dealings with Tom Fetjen, and talked to them in Danish.

"They say Tom Fetjen went up the coast to Upernivik," said Rooney, after the interview. "If your ship is bound for that port, you'll probably find him there. He owns a boat called the _Northland_, a little two-master."

This was all the information Chet could obtain in Holstenborg concerning the missing whaler.

"Well, that's something," said Andy. "You can talk to this Tom Fetjen when we reach Upernivik."

"If he doesn't leave there before we arrive."

"Rooney said he was apt to stay there quite a while, Chet."