He was thus employed, and Tom was in the act of capping the rifle, when a crash against the nearest shutter made the building tremble.
The startled inmates stared trembling in each other's faces.
"It's the tiger!" whispered Mrs.Gordon, uttering a truth that was manifest to every one.
"He is determined to get at us," added Aunt Cynthia.

"What shall we do ?" "I'll fetch him this time," was the confident response of Tom, "if I can only get a fair aim." "You had better let me have the gun," said his mother, who was in a momentary panic.
"Let me try it once more." "But there is no chance here; it will not do to open the shutter: he will spring right in among us." "Up-stairs is the best place," said Tom, hurrying up the steps again.
Meanwhile, Jim Travers, who had been so terrified, displayed more coolness than any one in the house.

Probably he felt so much confidence in his new scheme, that he was warranted in this self-possession.
Like the rest, he was startled by the crash against the shutter.

He rose to his feet, stared at the window, and, seeing that the beast had not broken through, stooped and resumed fanning the blaze with more vigor than ever.

At this juncture Tom called from above,-- "Where is he?
I can't see him." He had peered from the front and rear windows without catching sight of the tiger.