THE COWARDLY COUGAR 



lings, but they sadly shook their heads and 

 said no; the trip was benefiting them and 

 they were going to stay with it as long as their 

 strength lasted. 



When Miller pressed my hand, he said: 



"I'm certainly sorry to see you go, for I'm 

 afraid those other boys aren't husky enough 

 to pack out another lion. Now, you " 



But I clapped my hands to my ears and fled. 



Why recount the happenings of the return 

 journey? Ordinarily I loathe stewed chicken, 

 but visions of a large platter of it, garnished 

 with some chops and a steak or two, buoyed 

 me up, and I broke the trans-canon record. I 

 ate half a chocolate cake when I got in, but I 

 did not think of Fred. I thought of nothing 

 but that cake. It was a delicacy I had never 

 before tasted. 



The other boys stayed on. They got more 

 lions, and they experienced numerous adven- 

 tures more interesting than those I have re- 

 counted, but those adventures form no part of 

 this story. 



