"I don't want to become an object of curiosity," he explained. "Even
as it is, I suppose lots of folks will want to know all about it."

While the boys were eating the door bell rang, and the hired girl
announced a man to see the lad who had been shot. The visitor
proved to be Hank Donaldson, a big, burly fellow, now nervous to
the degree of collapsing.

"I---I hope yer don't think I did it a-purpose," said Donaldson.
"'Cos I didn't---I only wanted to shoot that 'ere lion, 'fore
he ate sombuddy up."

"I understand," answered Giant. "But you were very careless.
After this you had better give up lion hunting."

"I sure will. I am very sorry---yes, I am. Hope you'll forgive it."

"I will---if you didn't mean it," answered Giant.

"I've got a heap o' troubles, I have," went on Hank Donaldson.
"Got to pay 'bout a hundred dollars fer a plate-glass winder I
smashed, an' got to pay fer a dorg, too. Ye don't catch me
huntin' lions no more." And he heaved a mountainous sigh. A
few minutes later he departed, saying he hoped Giant would soon
get over his hurts.

"I guess he will be punished enough when he pays for the glass and
the dog," said the small youth, and smiled in spite of his wounds.

Getting a ladder, the boys fixed up the brokendown honeysuckle vine,