"I didn't think you'd be out on Sunday," said Whopper.

"I took it into my head yesterday to look fer that lion as got
away at Railings," was Jed Sanborn's answer. "Somebuddy said
as how he was keepin' shady over to Merrick's woods, so I tramped
over. Stayed in the woods all night an' this mornin'."

"Did you see the lion?" asked Snap eagerly.

"Nary a hair o' him, lad, an' I don't think he's in the woods,
nuther."

"But he must be somewhere," insisted Giant.

"Thet might be, but he ain't in Merrick's woods. I'll bet a glass o'
cider on't." Jed Sanborn looked at the boys and grinned. "Goin'
out huntin' ag'in, so I hear."

"Yes."

"Whereabouts this time---up whar ye see the ghost?" And the old
man chuckled, thinking of what the ghost had proved to be.

"No. We are going over to Windy Mountains this trip," answered
the doctor's son.

"That far, eh? It's quite a trip. Hope ye find it wuth so long
a journey. I don't know as the game thar is any better nor around
the lakes close to hum."