A lad of his years, however, rarely suffers from hard knocks and bumps, and he was on his feet the next moment.
"Shet the window quick!" he called, "or he'll be in here." No need of the appeal, for the mother with deft fingers quickly secured the shutter as before; and but for the lamp, all would have been in darkness again.
Jim darted up-stairs to learn how his playmate was making out.
"Why don't you shoot, Tom ?" he called, hurrying to his side.
"'Cause I don't see anything to shoot at," was the answer.
"What's become of the tiger ?" "I guess you scared him off." Jim peeped cautiously out of the window.
"That's so; he isn't anywhere round, but he was out there a few minutes ago." "So was you; but you aren't there now." "I thought he chased me clean up to the winder." "He didn't foller you a single step; when you struck out for the window, he stopped short and laughed ready to die to see you run." "The tiger laughed at me!" exclaimed Jim angrily; "who ever heard of such a thing ?" "Well, he looked as though he wanted to laugh, and then trotted down the road; I seen him jump over the fence and make for the woods." "That's where he's gone! I guess I'll go home now, while I have the chance." "Better wait, Jim, till you're sure he isn't round." Jim followed this sensible advice, staying to supper, to which he was always welcome.
The women had received so great a shock, that they could not recover from it as quickly as the volatile youngsters.

The shutters and doors were kept fastened, and every few minutes they peeped out in quest of the tiger that showed so much enmity toward them.

When darkness closed in, however, not the first glimpse had been caught of him, and all began to hope he had taken his final departure.

Mrs.Gordon gave her consent that Jimmy Travers should start homeward; and, promising to keep a sharp lookout for the creature, he departed.

It may as well be added that he saw nothing more of Tippo Sahib, nor did the animal pay any visit to his home.
"_Helloa! the house there!_" This was the startling summons that rang out in the stillness of the night, about two hours after the departure of Jimmy Travers.