The man hurried on, and presently another appeared, armed with a
rifle.

"Wish I had a gun; I'd go on the hunt, too," said Snap. "Think
of laying a real lion low!"

"It would beat deer hunting, wouldn't it?" answered Whopper. "But
supposing the lion turned and hunted you? You'd want to run about
'leven hundred miles!"

"If you had the chance," came from Giant. "I've heard that a lion
can get over the ground as quick as a cat."

"I don't want any of you boys to leave this house until that lion
is caught," said Mrs. Carson firmly. "I feel it my duty to keep you
here."

"Maybe they won't catch him at all," suggested her nephew.

"Oh, they'll be sure to catch or shoot him by morning," answered
the lady of the house.

Supper in the dining-room below was rather a haphazard affair.
It was eaten behind closed blinds and in semi-darkness, the lady
of the house being afraid to make a light, for fear of allowing
the roaming lion to see the eating, and her guests. Just as the
hired girl was bringing in the dessert a distant shot rang out,
and uttering a scream the girl, whose nerves were on edge, let the
dessert saucers fall to the floor with a crash.