“Heigho!” shouted Frank. “What are you doing down there, captain?”
“That’s what I’ve been asking myself, mate,” replied the mariner, “give me a lift before I fall.”
“All right!”
Frank lowered the same rope with which he had hauled Barney up.
In a few moments the captain was safe on the air-ship’s deck.
His story was a remarkable one.
“How did I get there?” he exclaimed. “I couldn’t tell ye. I only know that I went to sleep in the little camp with Barney. When I woke up I was hanging on out there.”
“Somnambulism!” suggested Frank.
“I reckon so; I am subject to that. Sure to walk in my sleep if I go to bed with too much on my mind.”
“Whew!” exclaimed Frank. “You are hardly a safe man aboard an air-ship then.”