“And you winged him,” observed Bob, thankfully, as he looked at the dead body. It was a large specimen of the mountain lion family.
“Yes, I was lucky enough to get him with the first bullet,” went on the miner; “but I took a second shot to make sure. He was coming right at you; wasn’t he?”
“He was that!” exclaimed Bob, as he shook hands with Jim, and there was much meaning in the clasp of their palms.
“What’s the matter? What happened?” cried Jerry, running up from behind a turn in the trail. He was followed by the others. “Is anyone hurt?”
“That fellow is,” replied Bob, with a short laugh, as he indicated the lion with his foot.
“Oh!” exclaimed Jerry, and then he understood, though Bob insisted on giving details.
“Well, after this,” spoke Ned, “we had better take our guns with us. There may be more of the brutes here.”
“I shouldn’t wonder,” replied Mr. Brill. “I know one chased me when I was here before. Yes, we’d better go armed.”
“And keep closer together,” added Jerry. “Hi, Professor!” he called, for the scientist had wandered off some distance to the side. “Don’t go so far. Come here!”