"I shot a lynx once," said John.
"That's nothing like a mountain lion," Mr. Kent remarked.
"Can't we go?" pleaded Nat.
"I'll see about it," his uncle answered.
He did see about it, with such good effect that, a few days later he called the boys in and showed them three fine rifles.
"Can you shoot?" he asked.
"A little," they replied, wondering what was coming.
"Then take these and see if you and Jim can bag a few lions," Mr, Kent went on. "I hear they got a couple of calves last night. Now— now—never mind thanking me," as the boys fairly stuttered their expressions of surprise and happiness. "Better see Jim and get ready."
The boys lost no time in doing this. They found Jim almost as pleased as they were. The cowboy at once began preparing a camping outfit, and that night he announced they would start in the morning.
"For how long?" asked Mr. Kent.