"That they are gorillas!"

At her utmost speed the big aeroplane bore down on the scene of the
unequal combat between Ben Stubbs and the savage beasts.

The boys could see that one of the brutes had seized their stalwart
companion's rifle from him and with incredible strength had broken
it in half as if it had been a wooden toy. The next minute Harry's
rifle spoke and the gorilla that had just performed the miraculous
feat of strength fell dead. With a shriek of rage the others turned
to see whence came this new enemy.

At the sight of the great aeroplane bearing down upon them they at
first started to flee with howls of terror, but the next minute they
rallied and with low growls of rage, that bared their cruel fangs,
they deliberately waited to see what this strange object might be.

This gave Ben a brief respite and he occupied it by reloading his
revolver. The boys were delighted to see by this that their brave
comrade was not seriously injured.

But now the Golden Eagle II was ready to settle and Frank, guiding
his aerial steed with one hand, grasped his revolver with the other,
for it was evident that the rush would come as they struck the
ground. And come it did. As the wheels of the aeroplane struck the
earth and Frank threw in the brakes sharply crashing into a rocky
wall, with a howl of defiance the whole horde of man-like brutes
rushed down on the air-craft with wicked rage in their spiteful
little red eyes.