"Loike I had been through a clothes wringer, docthor," was the answer. "Bad cess to thim savages!" Not long after this the clams and oysters, as well as the birds, were ready for eating, and Bob and the Irishman were given what the doctor thought was best for them. The others ate their fill, and after the repast was over all felt much better. "There are just two things for us to do," said Captain Broadbeam: "Keep out of the way of the savages and find the _Swallow_." "And in the meantime we have got to feed ourselves and take care of the wounded," added Doctor Barrell. The matter was talked over and it was decided that the doctor should remain with Bob and Stoodles, while the captain and Dave went on a short tour of exploration. "I do not imagine that this island is very large," said the captain, as he and Dave set out. "To my mind it won't be a bad idea to skirt the shore first." "Just as you say," answered the youth. "We want to keep our eyes peeled for the savages, though." It was an easy matter to follow the shore on two sides of the island, but to the north and the west were numerous rocks, and they climbed over these only with the greatest difficulty. "Be careful, or you'll sprain an ankle," said the captain. "There seems to be a hill near the center of the island," said the young diver. "Wouldn't it be a good idea to climb to the top of that?" "Yes, as soon as we have finished skirting the shore." Presently they came to a spot where some extra high rocks hid what was beyond from their view. "Hark!" cried Dave, coming to a sudden halt. "What was that?" "I don't know," answered the captain. "Sounded like somebody calling, didn't it?" Both listened, and presently from the other side of the rocks came a low whine, followed by a scream. "Somebody is there!" murmured Dave. "Perhaps a savage!" "We'll take a peep," began Captain Broadbeam, when of a sudden a hairy form leaped on top of the rocks and confronted them. The form was that of a gorilla. The creature was all of four feet high, with strong limbs and a face of peculiar ferocity. "Look out!" yelled Dave. "He means mischief!" The young diver was right. The gorilla gave a snarl, and the next instant made a leap for Captain Broadbeam's shoulder. It landed fairly and squarely on the captain and bore that individual to the ground. CHAPTER XIX FIGHTING A GORILLA The appearance of the gorilla had been so unexpected that for the instant Dave knew not what to do. As the captain went down with the creature on top of him, the young diver fancied that the man would surely be killed. "Help!" cried Captain Broadbeam, and this call aroused the youth to his senses. Catching up a stick, he hit the gorilla a resounding whack on the head. Then he struck at the beast's body.