What is a summary of chapter 1 of The Twenty-One Balloons?

Chapter one opens with an introduction to the main
character of the book, Professor William Waterman Sherman, who has been rescued out of
the Atlantic Ocean, where he was found nearly dead in the wreckage of twenty balloons. 
The captain of the boat which picked him up orders that he be placed on bedrest and
nursed back to health.  Once Professor Sherman has gained enough strength to talk, the
captain wants to know exactly how he came to be stranded in the middle of the Atlantic
surrounded by the balloons.

Professor Sherman, despite his
weakness, announces that the first telling of his great adventure is reserved for "The
Western American Explorer's Club," a fraternity to which he belongs back at home and to
which, he is most loyal.  Professor Sherman not only refuses to tell his tale to his
rescuers on the ship, but when the captain deposits him in a hotel in New York and sells
his version of the story to a local newspaper, Professor Sherman further refuses to give
any clues to the reporters who show up at his hotel door.  The short, one-sided story of
the captain makes it all the way to the President of the United States, who's secretary
writes a letter to Professor Sherman, personally requesting his presence at the White
House to announce his story to the world.  Professor Sherman sends a quick and negative
reply to the President's secretary.  The chapter concludes with a final note from the
secretary of understanding, as well as the provision of the Presidential train to
transport Sherman back to his home in San Francisco.