“Thet ain’t so; it wuz me as captured yer lion fer yer,” came from Daniel Hawkins, who had joined the party in the yard.
“Mr. Hawkins, how can you say that!” exclaimed Leo in amazement. “You ran for your life and locked yourself in the house, even before your wife got away.”
“Tain’t so. I captured the lion, an’ if there’s any reward it comes to me.”
“We have offered no reward, but we are willing to pay for the capture,” replied the leader of the circus men. “But if you caught the lion how is it you were up in the house when we rode up?”
“Daniel! Daniel!” shrieked Mrs. Hawkins, still in the window. “Come up again! Leo didn’t fasten him tight enough an’ he’s gettin’ away!”
The alarm again terrorized Daniel Hawkins.
Forgetting all about his assumed bravery, he made a wild dash for the cottage, leaving Leo and the men alone in the yard.
“Does that look as if he had much to do with catching him?” laughed Leo.
“No, it does not. But the woman is right. Nero is getting ready to struggle for freedom. Come, boys, put the harness over him while we have the chance.”
The three circus men set to work. It was a dangerous proceeding, but at last it was finished and the escaped lion was a prisoner.