But that astonishing spectacle, and the prospect of a cage of Bengal tigers with a man among them, in imminent danger of being eaten before her eyes, entirely absorbed her thoughts till, just as the big animals went lumbering out, a peal of thunder caused considerable commotion in the audience.

Men on the highest seats popped their heads through the openings in the tent-cover and reported that a heavy shower was coming up.

Anxious mothers began to collect their flocks of children as hens do their chickens at sunset; timid people told cheerful stories of tents blown over in gales, cages upset and wild beasts let loose.
Many left in haste, and the performers hurried to finish as soon as possible.
"I'm going now before the crowd comes, so I can get a lift home.

I see two or three folks I know, so I'm off;" and, climbing hastily down, Sam vanished without further ceremony.
"Better wait till the shower is over.

We can go and see the animals again, and get home all dry, just as well as not," observed Ben, encouragingly, as Billy looked anxiously at the billowing canvas over his head, the swaying posts before him, and heard the quick patter of drops outside, not to mention the melancholy roar of the lion which sounded rather awful through the sudden gloom which filled the strange place.
"I wouldn't miss the tigers for any thing.