Silver Face and Walter’s pony having been broken in on the previous day, these two were chosen to carry the prize.  They did not object, and in a short time the procession started off for camp, with the lion, back down, strung on the pole between two ponies, snarling, spitting, roaring out his resentment, while Chunky, leading the way, was singing at the top of his voice: 

"Tad Butler is the man; he goes to all the shows, he sticks his head in the lion’s mouth and tells you all he knows.  Who-o-o-pe-e-e!"

CHAPTER XVIII

THE UNWILLING GUEST DEPARTS

Jim Nance didn’t say much, but from the way he looked at Tad Butler, a quizzical smile playing about the corners of his mouth, it was plain that he was filled with admiration for the young Pony Rider who could take a lion practically single-handed.

As yet the story of the capture had not been told.  Their prize must first be taken care of.  This part of the affair Nance looked after personally.  He found a few strands of wire in his kit and with these he made a collar and a wire leader that led out to where the tough lariat began.  To this the lion was fastened, his forefeet left bound, the hind feet being liberated In this condition he was tied to a tree in the camp in Bright Angel Gulch.

Chunky was not sure that he liked the arrangement.  He was wondering whether lions were gifted with the proverbial memory of elephants.  If so, and if the big cat should get loose in the night, Chunky knew what would happen to himself.  The boy determined to sleep with one eye open, his rifle beside his bed.  He would die fighting bravely for his life.  He was determined upon that.

Around the camp fire a jolly party of boys gathered that night after supper, their merry conversation interrupted occasionally by a snarling and growling from the captive.

“Now, young gentlemen, we are anxious to hear the story of the capture,” said the Professor.

“Oh, it was nothing,” answered Stacy airily.  “It was nothing for us.  Shooting cats is too tame for such hunters as Tad and me.  We just saw him up a tree---that is, I saw him, and-----”

“Where were you?” interrupted Nance.

“I was up the same tree,” answered Stacy.

“I’ll bet the cat treed him,” shouted Ned Rector.  “How about it, Tad?”

“Chunky’s telling the story.  Let him tell it in his own way.”

“I’ll tell you about it, fellows.  I was up a tree looking for lions.  I found one.  He was sitting in the same tree with me.  He was licking his chops.  You see, he wanted a slice of me, I’m so tender and so delicious-----”

“So is a rhinoceros,” interjected Ned.

“If the gentleman will wait until I have finished he may have the floor to himself.  Well, that’s about all.  I yelled for Tad.  He came running, and he roped the cat.”