The smoke-house attached to the Perkinpine mansion, as we have already said, was made of bricks, and was a strong, massive structure. Although originally used for a building in which meat was cured, it had been adapted to the purposes of a milk store-house. A stream of water ran through one side and the milk and fresh meats were kept there so long as it was possible during the summer weather.  
A supply of mutton and lamb had been placed in it the evening before by Michael, the hired man, a portion for the use of the ladies and a portion for himself, when he should come to take it away in the morning.
 
There had never been an ice-house on the property, that luxury having been much less known a half a century ago than it is to-day.
 
The lion, in snuffing around the premises, had scented this store-house of meat, and was feasting himself upon it when detected by Fred Sheldon, who, with very little hesitation, covered the couple of rods necessary to reach it.
 
It is difficult to comprehend the trying nature of such a venture, but the reward was a gigantic one in the eyes[Pg 105] of Fred, who was very hopeful also of the chance being favorable for capturing the animal.
 
Having started he did not dare to turn back, but hastened forward on tip-toe, and with a firm hand caught the latch of the door. The instant he did so the latter was closed and fastened.
 
He expected the lion would make a plunge against it, and break out. Having done all he could to secure him, Fred scurried back through the kitchen door, which he nervously closed after him, and then scampered in such haste to his room that he feared he had awakened the two ladies in the other part of the house.
 
Hurrying to the window, the lad looked anxiously out and down upon the smoke-house as it was called.
 
To his delight he saw nothing different in its appearance from what it was when he left it a few moments before.
 
It followed, therefore, that the lion was within, as indeed was proven by the sounds which reached the ears of the listening lad.
 
But was the little structure strong enough to hold him? When he broke through his own cage with such ease, would he find any difficulty in making his way out of this place?
 
These were the questions our hero asked himself, and which he could not answer as he wished.
 
While the walls of the little building were strong and secure, yet the door was an ordinary one of wood, fastened by a common iron latch and catch, supplemented by a padlock whenever Michael Heyland chose to take[Pg 106] the trouble; but the door was as secure against the animal within with the simple latch in place as it was with the addition of the lock, for it was not to be expected that he would attempt to force his way out in any manner other than by flinging himself against the door itself whenever he should become tired of his restraint.
 
After a while all became still within the smoke-house, and it must have been that the unconscious captive, having gorged himself, had lain down for a good sleep.
 
Fred Sheldon was all excitement and hope, for he felt that if the creature could be kept well supplied with food, he was likely to remain content with his quarters for a considerable time.
 
Tired and worn out, the boy finally lay down on his bed and slept till morning. The moment his eyes were open, he arose and looked out. The smoke-house showed no signs of disturbance, the door remaining latched as it was the night before.
 
"He's there yet," exclaimed the delighted boy, hurriedly donning his clothes and going down the stairs in three jumps.
 
He was right in his guess, for when he cautiously peeped through the slats of the window he saw the monster stretched out upon the floor in a sound slumber.
 
When Fred told the Misses Perkinpine that the lion was fastened in the smoke-house their alarm passed all bounds. They instantly withdrew to the uppermost room, where they declared they would stay until the neighbors should come and kill the creature.
 
Fred tried to persuade them out of their fears, but it[Pg 107] was useless, and gathering what meat he could in the house he shoved it through the small window, and then hurried off toward Tottenville.
 
"The lion has got plenty of food, and there is the little stream of water running through the smoke-house, so he ought to be content to stay there for the day."
 
Jacob Kincade sat on the porch of the Tottenville Hotel, smoking a cigar and talking with a number of the villagers, who were gathered around him. Bud Heyland stayed with his folks up the road, and he had not come down to the village yet.
 
The talk, as a matter of course was about the lion, which was believed to be ranging through the country, and playing havoc with the live stock of the farmers.
 
Among the listeners were several boys, with open mouths and eyes, and when Fred joined them no one paid any attention to him.
 
"As I was saying," observed Mr. Kincade, flinging one of his legs over the other, and flirting the ashes from his cigar, "the lion is one of the most valuable in the country. He has a wonderful history, having killed a number of people before he was captured in Africa. Colonel Bandman has been offered a large price for him, which explains why he is so anxious to secure him unhurt."
 
"What is the reward?" asked one of the bystanders.
 
"It was originally a hundred dollars, but I've just received a letter from Colonel Bandman, in which he instructs me to make the reward two hundred, provided the animal is not injured at all."
 
[Pg 108]
 
"What does that offer imply?" asked another of the deeply interested group.
 
"The only feasible plan, in my judgment, is to construct a large cage and to lure the lion into that. I have a couple of carpenters hard at work, but the trouble is the animal has such a good chance now of getting all the meat he wants that it will be difficult to get him inside of anything that looks like a cage."
 
"If he could be got into a place where he could be held secure until you brought up his own cage, that would be all you would ask?" continued the speaker, who evidently was forming some plan of operations in his own mind.
 
"That is all, sir."
 
"I've got your lion for you!"
 
This rather weighty assertion was made by Fred Sheldon, from his position in the group. An instant hush fell upon all, who looked wonderingly at the lad, as if uncertain whether they had heard aright.
 
Before any comment was made our hero, somewhat flushed in the face, as he summoned up his courage, added:
 
"I've got the lion fast, and if you will go with me I will show you where he is."
 
Mr. Kincade laughed, as did one or two others. Taking a puff or two of his cigar, the showman added:
 
"Run home, sonny, and don't bother us any more."
 
But in that little party were a number who knew Fred Sheldon to be an honest and truthful boy. They made inquiries of him, and when his straightforward answers[Pg 109] had been given they told the showman he could rely on what had been said.
 
Mr. Kincade thereupon instantly made preparations, the group swelling to large proportions, as the news spread that the wild beast had been captured.
 
The cage of the lion, which had been strongly repaired, was driven to the front of the hotel; Jake Kincade mounted, took the lines in hand and started toward the home of the Misses Perkinpine, the villagers following close beside and after him.
 
Just as they turned into the short lane leading to the place, whom should they meet but Bud Heyland in a state of great excitement.
 
He was seen running and cracking his whip over his head, and shouting——
 
"I've got him! I've got him! I've got the lion!"
 
The wagon and company halted for him to explain.
 
"I've got him up here in the old maids' smoke-house. I put some meat in there last night, for I seen tracks that showed me he had been prowling around, and this morning when me and the old man went over to look there he was! I'll take that reward, Jacob, if you please."
 
And the boy grinned and ejected a mouthful of tobacco juice, while the others turned inquiringly toward Fred Sheldon, whose cheeks burned with indignation.
 
"He tells a falsehood," said Fred. "He never knew a thing about it till this morning."
 
"I didn't, eh?" shouted Bud. "I'll show you!"
 
Thereupon he raised his whip, but Mr. Emery stepped in front and said, calmly:
 
[Pg 110]
 
"Bud, it won't be well for you to strike that boy."
 
"Well, I don't want anybody telling me I don't tell the truth, for I'm square in everything I do, and I won't be insulted."
 
Mr. Kincade was on the point of taking the word of Bud Heyland that the reward had been earned by him, when he saw from the disposition of the crowd that it would not permit any such injustice as that.
 
"If you've got the animal secure I'm satisfied," called out the showman from his seat, as he assumed an easy, lolling attitude. "You two chaps and the crowd can settle the question of who's entitled to the reward between you, and I only ask that you don't be too long about it, for the critter may get hungry and eat his way out."
 
Mr. Emery, at the suggestion of several, took charge of the investigation.
 
Turning to Fred he said: "The people here have heard your story, and Bud can now tell his."
 
"Why, I hain't got much to tell," said the big boy, in his swaggering manner. "As I said awhile ago, I seen signs around the place last night which showed the lion was sneaking about the premises. He likes to eat good little boys, and I s'pose he was looking for Freddy there," said young Heyland, with a grinning leer at our hero, which brought a smile to several faces.
 
"So I didn't say anything to the old man but just flung a lot of meat in the smoke-house and went home to sleep. This morning the old man awoke afore I did, which ain't often the case, and going over to his work found the trap had been sprung and the game was there.
 
[Pg 111]
 
"The old man (Bud seemed to be proud of calling his father by that disrespectful name) came running home and pitched through the door as white as a ghost, and it was a minute or two before he could tell his story. When he had let it out and the old woman begun to shiver, wh............