And then they literally became speechless when they saw him slide back the bolt which held the shutter in place. It looked as if he meant to open the way for the tiger to enter the house.
While thus busy, Jim thought proper to add a word of explanation,--
"There's nothing that wild beasts is so afeard of as fire; that's what I'm going to play on this chap."
The women were too frightened to protest.
After sliding back the fastenings, Jim stood leaning slightly forward, the torch in one hand, while the other rested against the shutter, which was not yet pushed open.
He was listening, and awaiting the opportune moment.
He plainly heard the tip, tip, of those feet, amid which a cavernous growl now and then mingled; but he hesitated, for the tiger appeared to be too far off to spring his scheme upon him.
Jim's coolness was marvelous. None was more terrified than he when the beast broke out of the cage, and he was among the most panic-stricken that dashed from the tent and fled homeward.
But here he was, like a veteran sportsman of the jungle, awaiting the critical moment with what looked like nerves of steel. He listened with all the acuteness of which he was master, and his keen ears did not deceive him.
Suddenly he flung both shutters wide open, and let in the flood of sunshine, which rendered useless the lamp on the table.