ly he'll join
some other circus or some vaudeville show."

"He didn't look as if he liked the life," said Whopper.

"That's the way it struck me," came from Giant.

When the boys got home they had quite a story to tell. Mrs. Caslette
was much alarmed over the injuries her son had received and insisted
upon it that Giant let Dr. Reed attend him, which the physician did
willingly.

"Not much damaged," said the doctor. "But he had what folks call
a close shave."

The boys told the doctor about what they had learned from Mr. Jally,
and in turn he gave them instructions concerning the photographs
he desired them to obtain during their outing in the Windy Mountains.
As there might be a little delay in getting the new cameras and
in getting some other supplies the start of the trip was postponed
until Tuesday.

"And how do you propose to go?" asked Snap of the doctor's son.

"Father thinks it would be wise for us to row to Firefly Lake.
Then we can hide our boat and tote our supplies over to the mountains."

"That suits me, Shep."

"Did Ham Spink and his crowd go that way?" asked Whopper.

"I think they did, but I am not sure."

"Well, I don't want to meet them if they did," came from Giant.
"They can keep their distance and we'll keep ours."

CHAPTER VII

UP THE RIVER

Coming from Sunday-school on Sunday afternoon the boys fell in with
Jed Sanborn, the old hunter who had gone out with them on more than
one trip. They were rather surprised to see the man carrying his
shotgun, for Jed usually believed in respecting the Sabbath day.

"Been out hunting?" queried Snap as all came to a halt.

"Well, yes, kind of," answered the old hunter. "But not any reg'lar
game."

"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