Brave Tom; Or, The Battle That Won

e like of which was never known since the fearful night, a hundred years before, when a band of red men descended like a cyclone upon t

is widowed mother and his Aunt Cynthia, a siste

pe of his mother and aunt, whose circumstances were of the humblest nature. He attended the village school, where he was the most popular and promising of the threescore

vered with immense posters, which in flaming scenes and gigantic type announced the coming of "Jones's & Co.'s

behaving with supernatural propriety, so that nothing should interfere with the treat, which

orld had never known before. He studied the enormous pictures, with their tigers, bears, leopards, and panthers, the size of a meeting-house; their elephants of mountainous proportions, and the daring acrobats, contortionists, and performers, whose feats made one hold one's breath while gazing in awe at their im

not, his visit to the wonderful show must be postponed indefinitely. He strove like a hero, and was actually sick several hours before the watchful eyes of his mother and aunt discovered his plight. The moment came when he co

sent for him to leave the house. He partook of refreshment, and left his bed at noon. At two o'clock he was able to sit in th

sore one, but the lad stood it like the really brave fellow he was. H

s again, I don't thin

if you are alive then

the season, and Tom walked out of the house, leane

op, while the driver of the open wagon was lashing the

man wouldn't be trying to make them run faster. It's Mr. MacDowell! I never sa

round and pointed with his whip behind him. The furious rattle of the wagon prevented Tom's catching the words, and the terri

e to think of any other explanation

g and speculating over the strange affair, when hurried footsteps cau

om his running, and whose face was a picture of

m?" asked Tom as his s

coming to a halt, still panting, and casting af

what

eard the news? I though

surprise at Tom's ignorance communicated of itself the news to him. Tom, as may be supposed, was on needles; for,

ll killed before any one could help 'em! Did yo

know what you're talking about, Jim;

it scared me almost to death. I thought

fter partially recovering his wind, when he seemed to awaken to the f

and punch it in the eye of the tiger, Tippo Sahib? The minute he done it, the tiger let out a yell that you would have heerd a mile off, and, afore Sam could get out of the way, the tiger smashed right out of the cage and was among the people, chawing them up. He had his well eye on Sam, and crushed his head like an eggshell, with one bite! Then he made a sweep with his paw, and

tiger co

r bones cracking and snapping in his jaws was like the fire-crackers going off on the Fourth of July. Them as warn't swallered or killed scattered right and left

the scared Tom, somewhat confused by t

? I should say I did. I see

eat 'e

ike leather," added Jim thoughtfully; "for I noticed that when the men were g

tiger to hold so many

he men and boys and women that I'm telling you 'bout, but he took in horses, cows, dogs, an

y a few minutes ago. But, Jim,

ib," replied the frightened lad, glanc

the tig

aking the truth this time, "the tiger's