"Been out hunting?" queried Snap as all came to a halt.
"Well, yes, kind of," answered the old hunter. "But not any reg'lar game."
"I didn't think you'd be out on Sunday," said Whopper.
"I took it into my head yesterday to look fer that lion as got away at Railings," was Jed Sanborn's answer. "Somebuddy said as how he was keepin' shady over to Merrick's woods, so I tramped over. Stayed in the woods all night an' this mornin'."
"Did you see the lion?" asked Snap eagerly.
"Nary a hair o' him, lad, an' I don't think he's in the woods, nuther."
"But he must be somewhere," insisted Giant.
"Thet might be, but he ain't in Merrick's woods. I'll bet a glass o' cider on't." Jed Sanborn looked at the boys and grinned. "Goin' out huntin' ag'in, so I hear."
"Yes."
"Whereabouts this time—-up whar ye see the ghost?" And the old man chuckled, thinking of what the ghost had proved to be.