“The professor never carries anything more harmful than a butterfly net,” replied Jerry. “I’m afraid he can’t help us.”
At that moment the scientist came up to where the boys and miners stood.
“I didn’t get the flying lizard, after all,” lamented the little bald-headed man. “But I saw one. I would have had him, only my foot slipped on a round stone, I fell down, and the lizard flew away. But what is the matter?” he asked, seeing the odd looks on the faces of his friends.
“That!” answered Jerry, pointing to the lion, which gave utterance to a roar.
“Oh, what a beautiful specimen!” exclaimed the professor with enthusiasm. “I wish I could capture it!”
“I wish you could, and skin it!” added Jim Nestor grimly. “We are likely to be kept out here all night by that beast.”
“Nonsense, I’ll drive him away,” declared the scientist, and, with his butterfly net extended, he advanced. The lion showed his teeth and snarled in an alarming fashion.
“Come back, Professor!” cried Jim, and Mr. Snodgrass concluded he had better do so.
“Let’s all advance in a body, yelling, shouting and waving our hands,” proposed Jerry. “Maybe we can scare him.”