. Then another lion, who paused
in the doorway and looked out doubtfully, blinking with distaste at
the strong light. Tomaso spoke sharply, like the snap of his whip,
whereupon the lion ran forward in haste. But he seemed to have
forgotten which was his proper pedestal, for he hopped upon the three
nearest in turn, only to hop down again with apologetic alacrity at
the order of the cracking whip. At last, obviously flustered, he
reached a pedestal on which he was allowed to remain. Here he sat,
blinking from side to side and apparently much mortified.

The lion was followed by a running wolf, who had shown his teeth
savagely when the lion, for a moment, trespassed upon his pedestal.
This beast was intensely interested in the audience, and, as soon as
he was in his place, turned his head and glared with green, narrowed
eyes at the nearest spectators, as if trying to stare them out of
countenance. After the wolf come a beautiful Bengal tiger, its
black-and-golden stripes shining as if they had been oiled. He glided
straight to his stand, sniffed at it superciliously, and then lay down
before it. The whip snapped sharply three times, but the tiger only
shut his eyes tight. The audience grew hushed. Tomaso ran forward,
seized the beast by the back of the neck, and shook him roughly.
Whereupon the tiger half rose, opened his great red mouth like a
cavern, and roared in his master's face. The audience thrilled from
corner to corner, and a few cries came from frightened women.

The trainer paused for an instant, to give full effect to the
situation. Then, stooping suddenly, he lifted the tiger's
hind-quarters and deposited them firmly on the pedestal, and left him
in that awkward position.

"There," he said in a loud voice, "that's all the help you'll get from
me!"

The audience roared with instant and delighted appreciation. The tiger
gathered up the rest of himself upon his pedestal, wiped his face with
his paw, like a cat, and settled down complacently with a pleased
assurance that he had done the trick well.

At this moment the attention of the audience was drawn to the
entrance, where there seemed to be some hitch. Tomaso snapped his whip
sharply, and shouted savage orders, but nothing came forth. Then the
big Swede, with an agitated air, snatched up the trainer's pitchfork,
which stood close at hand in case of emergency, made swift passes at
the empty doorway, and jumped back. The audience was lifted fairly to
its