“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.