"Ben Stubbs," he exclaimed.
"Who's that that called Ben Stubbs," exclaimed the man over whom a dozen sailors and the doctor had been bending.
"It's me," shouted Frank, regardless of grammar, "Frank Chester."
The amazement on the face of the old salt who had accompanied the boys in Africa and the Everglades and shared their perils in the Sargasso Sea, was comical to behold.
"Well, what in the name of the great horn-spoon air you boys doing here," he gasped, for Harry and Billy had now come forward and were warmly shaking his hand.
"Well, answer us first: what are you doing here?" demanded Frank.
"Coming mighty near my finish like my poor mate," was the reply.
"Perhaps your friend had better come in the cabin and have something to eat while he talks," suggested Captain Hazzard to the boys.
All agreed that that would be a good idea and the castaway was escorted to the cabin table on which Hiram Scroggs the Vermonter soon spread a fine meal.
"Wall, first and foremost," began Ben, the meal being dispatched, "I 'spose you want to know how I come to be out here skydoodling around in a dirigible?"