“You’ve been following us,” put in Ike Akley.

“Not at all.”

“Then why did you come away out here to camp?”

“Because we chose to come.  Now, clear out—–­and stay away!”

A wordy war lasting several minutes followed.  It was plainly to be seen that the shifting of the boat had filled Ham Spink with rage, and he was unusually anxious to “square up” with the four boy hunters.  But he could do nothing, and at last he and his crony withdrew.

“I am glad you arrived,” said Giant.  “If you hadn’t I am afraid those fellows would have gotten the best of us.”

“I would have shied rocks at them,” said Tommy, who had come down from the tree.  “They may be bigger than I am, but I guess I could outrun ’em,” and at this remark the others had to smile.

“More than likely they’ll come back some time,” said Snap.  “And they’ll bring the others with them.  We’ll have to remain on guard.  But, Tommy, I’ve got great news.”

“What is that?”

“We’ve spotted a lion—–­the one that got away from the circus.”

“A lion!” ejaculated Giant.

“Yes; and we are hoping to trap the beast and get the reward offered for its return,” said Whopper.

CHAPTER XXIII

A BEAR AND A LION

Giant and Tommy listened with interest to what the others had to tell about the wildcats, the deer and the lion, and also about the stop at the Spink camp.  The story about the lion interested Tommy deeply.

“Casso will be glad to get that lion back,” he said.  “And if you capture him alive he ought to be willing to pay well for it.”

Giant and Tommy had had a rather quiet time in camp.  They had hunted and fished a little, and Giant had taken some photos and developed some films and plates and printed a few pictures.  The photographs had turned out well, and the young hunters were correspondingly proud of them.

“I think my father will be much pleased,” said the doctor’s son.  “I am sure they are right in line with what he wanted.  But we must get a good many more.”

“How about your watch, Shep?” asked Whopper.

“I declare, I forgot about it—–­thinking of that lion,” answered the doctor’s son.  “We’ll have to go to that lonely cabin and see if I can’t get it back from that crazy hermit—–­if he is around.”

A day’s rest seemed to make Snap and Shep feel as lively as ever, but Whopper declared that he was still tired out, and, besides, he had scraped an ankle on the rocks and this was quite sore.  He said that he was willing to take it quiet for at least a day or two more.

“We’ll have to see about that lion, and about that hermit,” declared Shep.  “Supposing we leave you and Tommy in camp this time, and take Giant along?”

“All right,” said Whopper.

“Do you think you can manage—–­if the Spink tribe come to bother you?” asked Snap.