"We don't know if it is true or not," said Snap.

"Better not take any chances," answered Mrs. Carson. "I once heard
of a lion getting loose from Central Park in New York City and
eating up five school children."

"Yes, father tells that story, too," answered Shep. "But it was all
a newspaper hoax---it never happened, aunty."

"Well, come in, and we'll close the doors and windows."

As much to please the lady as anything, the boys went in, and
assisted in closing up the lower part of the house. They had just
reached an upper window when a man went hurrying through the Street,
holding a shotgun in his hands.

"Did a lion really get loose?" called out Snap.

"He certainly did," was the answer.

"Where is he now?"

"Somewhere back of the freight depot, or in one of the empty freight
cars."

"Going to try to shoot him?" asked Whopper.

"Yes. Four or five of us are going to try to do that or capture
him."