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 . Bab 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 . When he fired the gun and they all fell as if dead , she with difficulty suppressed a small scream and clapped her hands over her ears ; but poor Billy never minded it a bit , for he was pale and quaking with the fear of `` heaven 's artillery '' thundering overhead , and as a bright flash of lightning seemed to run down the tall tent-poles he hid his eyes and wished with all his heart that he was safe with mother . `` Afraid of thunder , Bill ? '' asked Ben , trying to speak stoutly , while a sense of his own responsibilities began to worry him , for how was Bab to be got home in such a pouring rain ? `` It makes me sick ; always did . Wish I had n't come , '' sighed Billy , feeling , all too late , that lemonade and `` lozengers '' were not the fittest food for man , or a stifling tent the best place to be in on a hot July day , especially in a thunder-storm . `` I did n't ask you to come ; you asked me ; so it is n't my fault , '' said Ben , rather gruffly , as people crowded by without pausing to hear the comic song the clown was singing in spite of the confusion . `` Oh , I 'm so tired , '' groaned Bab , getting up with a long stretch of arms and legs . `` You 'll be tireder before you get home , I guess . Nobody asked you to Come , any way ; '' and Ben gazed dolefully round him , wishing he could see a familiar face or find a wiser head than his own to help him out of the scrape he was in . `` I said I would n't be a bother , and I wo n't . I 'll walk right home this minute . I ai n't afraid of thunder , and the rain wo n't hurt these old clothes . Come along , '' cried Bab , bravely , bent on keeping her word , though it looked much harder after the fun was all over than before . `` My head aches like fury . Do n't I wish old Jack was here to take me back , '' said Billy , following his companions in misfortune with sudden energy , as a louder peal than before rolled overhead .
`` You might as well wish for Lita and the covered wagon while you are about it , then we could all ride , '' answered XXXXX , leading the way to the outer tent , where many people were lingering in hopes of fair weather .
Bab Ben Jack lightning lozengers right tent-poles thunder-clap tireder wag