the hunters were now out of sight and paid no attention to them.

A moment later the lads saw the lion leave the vicinity of the
fence, cross the yard, and disappear behind the side of a barn.
Then came a sudden smashing of boards, and a wild-eyed horse
burst into view and ran down the street at top speed.

"The lion scared that horse," said Whopper. "Well, he's enough to
scare anything."

"Boys! boys! why don't you come in?" pleaded Mrs. Carson. "If he
sees you he'll surely try to get up on the piazza."

"If he turns this way we'll come in and shut the blinds," answered
her nephew.

"It may be too late then."

"Oh, I think not, aunty."

Another shot rang out, and then the boys saw the men running around
the barn.

"Perhaps they have managed to shut the lion in the barn," said Snap.

"If they are circus men they would rather capture the lion than kill
him," returned the doctor's son. "Lions must be worth a good deal
of money."

It was now about seven o'clock, and not as light as it had been.