ost anything to you, and
you know it," said the doctor's son. "Now you clear out and leave
us alone."

"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