Brave Tom; Or, The Battle That Won

owever, was

y it added to the fury of the beast, and really increased the peril of the people within th

then paused abruptly, with his head up, and stared at the building, as if try

vers, "he's going to jump up

again, but the powder and bullets are down-stairs, and before I

. He trotted round to the rear of the ho

idea struck

e called out, clattering down-stair

e?" asked Tom, following after him, and sca

inquiry, so flurried was he over his new sc

w. The mother had been so thorough in her work, that all the three rooms were thus obscured

he asked of the boys, as th

," replied Tom. "I don't k

It did look as if he was bent on revenging himself for the hurt that had been inflicted. Many of the wild beasts o

leave him alone," said Aunt Cynthia. "Your

isted Tom. "I hit

e angry; I am afraid we ar

reloading it. From the powder flask she poured a charge down the barrel, upon which Tom pressed the conical bullet, wrapped ab

e proceedings was reached,

flame of which was quite feeble, because the day was mild, he began fanning it with his hat. He was thus employe

stared trembling in

rs. Gordon, uttering a truth

at us," added Aunt Cynt

the confident response of Tom,

the gun," said his mother, w

try it o

will not do to open the shutter:

place," said Tom, hurry

oolness than any one in the house. Probably he felt so much confide

ared at the window, and, seeing that the beast had not broken through, stooped and resum

he? I can'

son was evident: the animal was so near the house that he could not be observed without ra

s anger, the mother stepped to the foot

ut we can't see him any more than you. If

a crackling blaze, stepped softly to the window against which t

undertone, "come away; if he jumps thr

up one hand as a warning for th

the building, evidently seeking some mode of entrance. Clea

e by the velvety feet of the brute in trotting to and fro. He was traced as he made a comple

ugh all. Neither of the women dared to stir or speak. They expe

Travers did an extraordinary thing,--o

largest brand, with which he hurried to the

" demanded Aunt Cynt

replied the youth

ide back the bolt which held the shutter in place. It looked a

hought proper to add a

is so afeard of as fire; that's wh

e too frighte

ghtly forward, the torch in one hand, while the other re

and awaiting the

ernous growl now and then mingled; but he hesitated, for the t

when the beast broke out of the cage, and he was among the m

ical moment with what looked like nerves of steel. He listened with all th

n, and let in the flood of sunshine, whi

distant. The slight noise caused him to stop

owled, and, swinging himself lightly round, cautiously approached th

and round, extending it at the same time toward the beast, whic

He whirled the torch harder, a

your head off! Come any

trifle too far. His feet slipped over the floo