Those approaching their place of concealment were Billy Barnes and Ben
Stubbs.
It would be difficult to say which pair of adventurers were more astonished as they met on the beach.
"Shiver my timbers!" exclaimed Ben, "whar did you boys come from? Did you turn back?"
"Turn back?" echoed Frank, "no, we've been keeping right on."
"Wall," drawled Ben, "then what I was afeard of at first is true."
"What's that, Ben?"
"Why, that we are on an island."
"On an island!"
"Yes, a floating island."
For a moment they were all dumb with amazement. Then Ben went on: