"Well, the delay won't worry me," answered the scientist, calmly. "It will give me a chance to see something of another part of Greenland." "Where is Holstenborg?" questioned Chet. "It is on the western coast of Greenland, about four hundred and fifty miles below Upernivik. It is not much of a place, but Captain Williamson thinks it would be unwise to attempt to reach Upernivik in our present condition." "Well, I don't care if we do land further down the coast," said Chet, thinking that here would be another chance to make inquiries concerning the lost whaler. It soon became whispered around that the _Ice King_ was leaking badly. Some of the hands took the matter calmly, but others were excited. "It's because those geese were shot," cried one sailor. "It was wrong to do it, and I said so." "Those boys ought to be heaved overboard," said another. "Right you are," answered the tar who had first found fault. Some of this talk presently reached the ears of Ben Haven, the mate, and watching his chance, he came up to where Chet and Andy were standing amidships. "I want to tell you lads something," said he in a low voice. "What is it?" asked Chet. "If I were you boys, I'd not walk forward for the present," went on Ben Haven. "Some of the sailors are down on you for killing those geese. Better keep out of their way until we reach port--which will be tomorrow morning." "Why, do you think they'd try to--to harm us?" asked Chet. "They might--if matters get worse with the ship. Some sailors are awfully headstrong when they get frightened." Chet and Andy promised to heed the warning, although both were inclined to laugh at it. They kept away from the forecastle, and it was not until after supper that one of the sailors came near them. It was then reported that the steamer was leaking worse than before, and the pumps were kept going constantly. "You boys are responsible for this," said the sailor. He was a tall, thin individual, who rejoiced in the name of Pep Loggermore. "What do you mean?" demanded Chet, stiffly. "You know well enough what I mean," growled the tar. "If we go to the bottom, there won't be nobody to blame but you!" "That's nonsense," broke in Andy. "The ice started the ship's seams--we had nothing to do with it." "You shot them geese, and----" "Oh, that's foolishness!" cried Chet. "We don't want to hear it. A man with sense ought to know better than to talk that way." "I know what I am talking about," grumbled Pep Loggermore. "You go on about your business," said Andy, sharply. Loggermore was about to argue some more, when Captain Williamson put in an appearance. He slouched off, but when out of sight, turned and shook his fist at the youths. "I ain't going to sail with no such fellers as you," he muttered to himself. "And I don't think the other men will want to sail with you, either. If we ever get ashore alive, we'll see to it that you two fools don't come aboard again!"