inside heard firing in the distance. The shots gradually grew
fainter and fainter, at last dying out altogether.

"I guess his lionship has left town," said Shep.

"Or else he is dead," added Snap.

Mrs. Carson was much worried over the wounds Giant had received and
insisted upon putting on them some salve. The boy declared he felt
all right again and that the wounds would soon heal.

"I'm used to little things like that," he said. "When we went
hunting we had all sorts of things happen to us."

"Mercy on us! Then you ought never to go hunting again!" declared
the lady of the house.

"It was a narrow escape," said Snap gravely. "You can be thankful
that man didn't blow your head off.

"I am thankful, Snap; and I am also thankful for what you did for
me," murmured Giant, and looked at his chum in a manner that spoke
volumes.

It was now too late to think of going to Fairview, for the last
train had already departed. And as it was, Mrs. Carson insisted
upon it that the boys remain all night.

"If you leave the house I'll be worried to death, thinking the lion
caught you," she said.