"What! the man who had both his legs shot off, and died in consequence of his wounds?" inquired Jack.
"The same."
"And that was afterwards thrown overboard with a twenty-four pound shot tied to his feet!" exclaimed Fritz.
"The same."
At this astonishing assertion the young men regarded Willis with an air of apprehension.
"You think I am mad, no doubt, do you not?"
"Whatever can we think, Willis?"
"I admit that my statement looks very like it at first sight, but still you are wrong, as you will see by-and-by. I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw him. 'Is that you, Bill Stubbs,' says I, 'at last?'
"'Lor love ye!' says he, 'is that you, Pilot?'
"He then took hold of my hand, and gave it such a shake as almost wrenched it off.