He 's mad now because I had to cuff him , and wo n't take any notice of me till I make up , '' said Ben , regretfully eying his offended friend , but not daring to beg pardon yet . More riding followed , and Bab was kept in a breathless state by the marvellous agility and skill of the gauzy lady who drove four horses at once , leaped through hoops , over banners and bars , sprang off and on at full speed , and seemed to enjoy it all so much it was impossible to believe that there could be any danger or exertion in it . Then two girls flew about on the trapeze , and walked on a tight rope , causing Bab to feel that she had at last found her sphere ; for , young as she was , her mother often said , `` I really do n't know what this child is fit for , except mischief , like a monkey . '' `` I 'll fix the clothes-line when I get home , and show Ma how nice it is . Then , may be , she 'd let me wear red and gold trousers , and climb round like these girls , '' thought the busy little brain , much excited by all it saw on that memorable day . Nothing short of a pyramid of elephants with a glittering gentleman in a turban and top boots on the summit would have made her forget this new and charming plan . 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 would n't miss the tigers for any thing . See , they are pulling in the cart now , and the shiny man is all ready with his gun . Will he shoot any of them , apprehension , for the sharp crack of a rifle startled her more than the loudest thunder-clap she ever heard . `` Bless you , no , child ; it 's only powder to make a noise and scare 'em . I would n't like to be in his place , though ; father says you can never trust tigers as you can lions , no matter how tame they are . Sly fellers , like cats , and when they scratch it 's no joke , I tell you , '' answered Ben , with a knowing wag of the head , as the sides of the cage rattled down , and the poor , fierce creatures were seen leaping and snarling as if they resented this display of their captivity .
XXXXX curled up her feet and winked fast with excitement as she watched the `` shiny man '' fondle the great cats , lie down among them , pull open their red mouths , and make them leap over him or crouch at his feet as he snapped the long whip .
Bab Ben Bengal Billy Ma gales left tent-cover thunder-clap trapeze