"He was excited," added Snap. "He didn't want to hit Giant."
Snap said nothing about his hurt shoulder, although the bump he had received made him stiff and sore. He was thankful that the honeysuckle vine had broken the fall from the piazza roof, and that he and Giant had escaped from the clutches of the lion.
The hunters of the animal had gone past the house, and now those inside heard firing in the distance. The shots gradually grew fainter and fainter, at last dying out altogether.
"I guess his lionship has left town," said Shep.
"Or else he is dead," added Snap.
Mrs. Carson was much worried over the wounds Giant had received and insisted upon putting on them some salve. The boy declared he felt all right again and that the wounds would soon heal.
"I'm used to little things like that," he said. "When we went hunting we had all sorts of things happen to us."
"Mercy on us! Then you ought never to go hunting again!" declared the lady of the house.
"It was a narrow escape," said Snap gravely. "You can be thankful that man didn't blow your head off.
"I am thankful, Snap; and I am also thankful for what you did for me," murmured Giant, and looked at his chum in a manner that spoke volumes.