Some boys open a crate only to discover that Walter's lion is inside. They then rush off and the lion escapes. Later, Hub nearly shoots the lion when he thinks it's attacking Walter (it's not, it's just playing with him) and others then approach a cornfield with guns, ready to shoot it (but no one does once they learn it's just playing).
Walter is forced into the barn by a stranger, who wants to know where the treasure is, and threatens to physically hurt him.
Uncle Hub collapses and is taken to the hospital (he's OK, but it should be noted that Hub throws a tin plate at a wall in anger which could be surprising, but isn't frightening.)
Walter begins to suspect that Uncle Hub and Garth are bank robbers because of all the money they have (this proves to be false.) His mother and her boyfriend then pressure him into telling them where the money is by feeding him lies that say Uncle Hub and Garth killed innocent people.
There is a lot of discussion of old age and death which could frighten or upset some kids.
Walter finds out that his mom has lied about where she's going to be while he's at his uncle's house (this could be upsetting for kids who don't know why a mother would do that to her son).