It was Pat Stoodles, but so transformed that Dave scarcely recognized the half-witted Irish castaway.
Stoodles was dressed in a suit of skins, and on his head rested a crown made of horn, set with peacock feathers.
In his hand the Irishman carried a long knife.
"I am the King of the Island Windjammers!" he cried, in a low tone. "I am sent to free the world! Avaunt, ye ghosts of ships! Begone, ye rats of my brain! Ha! and how is that, my bonnie b'y! An' that! An' that!"
Rambling on in this fashion, he quickly cut the ropes which held Dave and Bob. Then he turned to Captain Broadbeam and of a sudden he stopped with mouth wide open.
"Captain Broadbeam, or is it another av thim drames?" he gasped.
"Pat Stoodles!" cried the captain. "And so you are the king of these savages. Release me at once!"
"I will! I will!" answered Stoodles, and cut the bonds, and also those of the doctor.
All this time the savage on guard was looking on in silence, for he dared not interfere with the doings of Stoodles. Yet he grew uneasy when he saw all the prisoners liberated and saw the Irishman shake Captain Broadbeam by the hand. He gave a sudden and shrill cry.
Quick as a flash Stoodles turned upon him.