"There he goes!" shouted Shep.
As the doctor's son spoke they heard a tree limb snap in twain. For one instant the lion clung to the broken end, then, with a roar, the beast sank out of sight into the pit.
CHAPTER XXIV
A NOTABLE CAPTURE
"We've got him! We've got him!" shouted Snap, and his heart gave a wild bound of pleasure.
"Don't be too sure," cautioned the doctor's son. "Wait—-keep your gun ready for use."
"That's it—-he may get out of the pit," came from Giant. "Don't take any risks. He could kill a fellow in a minute, if he got the chance!"
They waited, each with his gun ready. Down in the pit they heard the lion growling and slashing around. Evidently he was doing his best to get out of the hole.
"I'll bet he's mad," said Snap.
"One of the dead wildcats is with him," said Snap. "That will give him something to eat."