"And of course we all believe it," came from the doctor's son.
"Well, I had to do something—-to help pass the time," said Whopper a bit sheepishly.
"Sure you did," said Snap heartily. "It's all right, Whopper—-only don't ask us to believe such a story."
"Is anybody going to stand guard to-night?" asked Giant to change the subject.
"What's the use?" questioned Snap. "I don't think anybody or anything will come to disturb us."
"Well, you can never tell," said Shep slowly. "But if you fellows don't care to stand guard we'll let it go at that."
"Oh, it's for you to say, Shep—-you are leader this trip."
"Well, I guess we can all turn in."
And turn in they did about nine o'clock, with the understanding that they were to have breakfast at six in the morning and continue their journey as soon after that as possible.
Whether he felt the responsibility of leadership or not it would be hard to say, but certain it is that the doctor's son did not sleep near as soundly as did the others. He was very restless, and when he dozed off it was to dream of the lion that had escaped from the circus. He imagined that the animal had followed them to their camp and was bending over him and licking his face. He uttered a groan of terror and sat up and opened his eyes. As he did this a dark form leaped over him and out of the open tent. The fire had burned low, so what the form was Shep could not tell.