"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." "I know he did. Well, I suppose I can only wait and see." And Chet heaved a deep sigh. While Andy and Chet were ashore interviewing Jack Rooney and others who could speak English, Captain Williamson was waited on by three of his hands. The delegation was headed by Pep Loggermore.