The young diver's cry came too late. Down came the beast that had attacked them before, landing directly on Captain Broadbeam's shoulder and clutching the man by the throat! For the instant Dave was almost paralyzed. But then he realized the captain's peril and rushed in to the man's assistance. In his hands the young diver clutched a heavy stick, and this he brought down with all force on the gorilla's head. The creature was taken by surprise and dropped its hold. But its skull was too thick to mind greatly the blow which had been delivered, and an instant later it leaped forward once more, this time for Dave. The young diver dodged, and in a twinkling the gorilla had Dave around the waist while the youth had the creature around the shoulder and neck. Then began the struggle, the beast trying to bite and Dave trying his best to prevent such a movement. In the midst of the mêlée Captain Broadbeam rushed to the rescue. He had picked up Dave's stick, which the young diver had dropped, and now he struck the gorilla twice across the back and then across the lower limbs. Not knowing what to make of this last attack, the creature turned once more and dropped its hold of Dave. But at another blow from the stick it began to retreat, and soon was lost to sight in the jungle on the hillside. "He has gone!" said the captain, breathing heavily from his exertions. "What a fighter he is!" gasped Dave. He had all he could do to catch his breath. "I wish we had killed him, lad. Then he couldn't bother us again." "Yes, it's too bad we didn't finish him. He will probably lay low for us now. Maybe he'll attack us while we sleep." "We'll have to stand guard." Making certain that the gorilla had really left the vicinity, they continued the journey to the shore, reaching the camp a little while later. They found Doctor Barrell waiting impatiently for their return. Both Bob and the Irishman were sleeping soundly. "And what did you discover?" asked the man of science. "Very little," answered the captain. "But we have had a couple of nasty fights." "With the savages?" "No, with a gorilla." "Is it possible! Did you kill the creature?" "No, he got away." "Too bad! I would give much to catch a gorilla alive. We could add him to our collection." "Thanks, but no live gorilla in mine," came promptly from Dave. "Give me a dead one every time." The doctor listened to their story with much interest and was glad to see they had brought some berries and the birds for a meal. "I have found some herbs and plants and given both of the sufferers medicine," said he. "I think Bob Vilett will recover rapidly, but it will take time to bring Pat Stoodles around." It was now midday, and the sun was scorching. This being so, all were content to rest in the shade. A fire was built, and over it the birds and also some oysters were done to a turn, and these, with the berries, made a good meal for all.