"Indeed I do—to my sorrow. He used to be a teacher at the academy I and my brothers attend. But he was discharged. He's a regular rascal."
"You are sure of that?" queried Dick Chester. "I have thought so all along, but the others, would hardly believe it."
"I am telling the truth, and can prove all I say. But just now I am anxious about my brother. You say you saw a lion?"
"Yes. He was across the lake; but Mr. Crabtree was scared to death and ran away. Frank Rand and I took shots at the beast, but I can't say if we hit him."
"It would be too bad if Dick dunh fell into dat lion's clutches," put in Aleck. "I reckon de lion would chaw him up in no time."
"Go back and call Cujo," said Tom. "He may be able to track my brother's footsteps."
At once Aleck loped off. While he was gone Tom told Dick Chester much concerning himself, and the college student related several facts in connection with the party to which he belonged.
"There are six of us students," he said. "We were going to have a professor from Yale with us, but he got sick at the last moment and we hired Josiah Crabtree. I wish we hadn't done it now, for he has proved more of a hindrance than a help, and his real knowledge of fauna and flora could be put in a peanut shell, with room to spare."
"He's a big brag," answered Tom. "Take my advice and never trust him too far—or you may be sorry for it."
Presently Aleck came back, with Cujo following. The brawny African began at once to examine the footprints along the lake shore.