As he stooped over the bird there was a strange cry from another tree close by and then a whir through the air.
"The gorilla!" ejaculated Dave. "Look out!"
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 melee 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.