“Instead of heading for Upernivik we are going to put in at Holstenborg for repairs,” explained Barwell Dawson to Professor Jeffer and the others. “I am sorry for the delay, but it cannot be helped. The ice must have hit us harder than we thought.”
“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.