"Look out!" called Jim, clambering to his feet; "he'll spring right
through and chaw you up, quicker'n lightning."
But the brave parent not only threw up the window and bolted the shutters,
but did it coolly and deftly with each window, front and back, thus
shrouding the room in obscurity.
Tom climbed into a chair set in front of the fireplace, and took down the
loaded rifle, which he knew how to use as well as any boy of his years.
"Come, Jim, let's go up-stairs to my bedroom; maybe we can get a shot at
him."
At the top of the stairs the leader paused and turned about.
"Say, Jim, did you try to look in the tiger's eye?" he asked.
"Don't bother me with such foolish questions; I hadn't a chance."
"How was it?"
"Why, I hadn't got far from the house, when I heered a growl, and there
was the tiger in the field, looking over the fence at me."
"Seems to me that was just the chance you wanted, if he was looking at
you."
"I s'pose it was; but to own up, Tom, I didn't think of it. I was afeard
he would go for your folks. So I thought I would walk down and tell you."
"Did you walk all the way?"
"I may have hurried a little,--that is, a part of the way.
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