"But where is he?"

"In pursuit of my horse."

"But why are you not on your horse? Did he throw you?"

"No; I slipped off his back, and he started off in wild terror, the lion in pursuit."

"That probably saved your life."

"But how does a lion happen to be in this territory?" asked Gerald, in curiosity. "I never heard that lions were to be found in Montana."

"Nor are they. This lion belongs to a circus. He escaped only half an hour ago, and I am in pursuit of him."

"Are you connected with the circus?"

"Yes. My brother and I own it. We want to recover the lion, for he cost us a large sum of money."

"But suppose you meet him—won't you be in danger?"